What is workforce planning?

Workforce planning is a proactive approach to ensuring that an organization has the right number of people with the right skills in the right positions at the right time to achieve its business objectives. This involves analyzing current workforce capabilities, predicting future workforce needs based on business goals, and identifying any gaps in skills or staffing that must be addressed. Proper workforce planning not only optimizes current personnel but also supports strategic initiatives, helping businesses adapt to changes in the market or operational demands.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the purpose of workforce planning. Increasing employee workload does not relate to strategic alignment with business objectives, assessing employee performance focuses on individual evaluations rather than overall staffing requirements, and managing employee incentives does not encompass the comprehensive planning and forecasting needed to align the workforce with organizational goals.