Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

2015

Workforce
Planning Model &
Worksheets
Human Resource Solutions
Workforce Planning is the process whereby the management of
an organisation try to ensure that they always have the right
number of employees, with the right knowledge and skills in
place at the right time. This document provides a Workforce
Planning Model which can be applied in any organization; it also
incorporates a series of worksheets to facilitate effective project
planning.

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

A. Brogan
Human Resource Solutions
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2015

Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Introduction
The purpose of these manpower planning guidelines is to assist managers to undertake
systematic planning for major structural changes about to take place in their area of
responsibility and which will therefore affect their staff. If worked through
conscientiously, they should ensure appropriate numbers and skills are in place at
each key project milestone.
The model takes managers through the process of clarifying the future situation and
articulating the implications of the changes for the workforce. This will allow the
estimate of future demand for staff in each staff group at each key date in the project.
Profiling the current workforce allows the estimate of internal supply, and by
comparing with the demand estimate, allows the quantification of areas of staffing
surplus or deficit. Based on the outcome of this, action plans are then drawn up to
look at how these difficulties can be addressed - allocating timescales and
responsibilities.
The final process involves ensuring there is a process whereby any changes which
affect the planning assumptions, are able to be fed into the demand / supply estimates
and the action plans adjusted accordingly. This process should also allow monitoring
of the action plans to ensure they remain on target.
The importance of embedding project based manpower planning in the context of a
strategic framework cannot be overemphasised, and the monitoring and evaluation
process should include a link with a high-level group considering overall manpower
strategy.
The way in which managers use these guidelines will vary depending on the situation
and the scale of the project. However it is likely that the process will be facilitated by
a Human Resources professional who will also help to supply much of the
information; particularly in relation to profiling the current workforce. Others
involved with the project group are likely to be operational managers whose staff are
affected, managers from other agencies / organisations where staff may transfer to or
from, professional advisers from the key functional groups and where appropriate a
member of the staff-side.

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Workforce Planning Model

Clarify the future situation

Describe the Implications for the Workforce

Estimate future demand for staff

Profile the current workforce

Estimate future supply of staff

Action Plans to address

imbalances between demand
and supply

Surplus
staff

Insufficient
Staff

Monitor and continually evaluate

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Clarify the Future Situation

Clarify the future situation

Objective:

Describe the Implications for the Workforce

Estimate future demand for staff

Profile the current workforce

To clearly outline, in broad terms, the proposed

service change, the resource assumptions and the
manpower implications. To then break this down into
manageable stages. This will set the parameters of
the manpower planning project.

The first task is to clearly articulate the exact shape and scope of the
service change, this amounts to a "vision" of how the new service will
look. Then we must identify all services that are affected, and how they
will change. Broad timescales should be outlined at this stage.

The next stage is to identify non-staff resources which are affected by the
change. This usually amounts to buildings, equipment etc or financial
assets such as new contracts, transfer in or out of finances or budgetary
reductions. The purpose of this section is to clearly understand these and
determine to what extent they are limitations on the change project.

Estimate future supply of staff

The next section outlines what the implications of the changes are for
staff.

Action Plans to address

imbalances between demand
and supply

Surplus
staff

Insufficient
Staff

Consideration should be given firstly to broad numbers - is there a

need to increase or decrease numbers or will present numbers be
maintained.

Does the skill-mix require to change - will this become richer or

diluted?

Does this have implications for qualifications / skills required by

staff - how will these need to change?

Will there need to be changes to working patterns / practices - e.g.

will staff be required to work more flexibly, change shift patterns,
interface with other agencies etc.

Monitor and continually evaluate

The final part of this section involves breaking the change project down
into discrete stages - usually around 3-4. This will identify each major
task or event, and put appropriate target dates and timescales to each.

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 1
Clarify the Future Situation
(Answer each section in very broad terms)
Identify the general shape and scope of the proposed business change

Identify the resources which will be affected by the change (exclude staff)

Identify the general staffing implications of the proposed change

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

Identify in this
section:

The proposed
change

The current
services which
will be affected
by the change

The proposed
timescales

Identify in this
section:

Buildings and
other physical
resources

Financial
resources additional /
reductions /
transfers

Identify in this
section:

Increase /
decrease /
transfer of staff

Changes to skillmix

Changes in
qualifications /
skill required

Changes to
working
practices

Current staff
shortages

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 1(continued)
Break the project down into a series of discrete stages (usually 3-4) and describe these
1ST STAGE OF THE PROJECT

2nd STAGE OF THE PROJECT

3rd STAGE OF THE PROJECT

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

Identify in this
section:

The initial 3-4

major tasks or
events

The appropriate
targets and
timescales

Identify in this
section:

The next 3-4

major tasks or
events

The appropriate
targets and
timescales

Identify in this
section:

The next 3-4

major tasks or
events

The appropriate
targets and
timescales

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Clarify the future situation

Describe the Implications for the Workforce

Objective:

To identify in detail the specific workforce

implications for each key task / event at each stage in
the project

Describe the Implications for the Workforce

For each stage identified in Worksheet 1, outline the specific staff related
change that need to occur. For example:
Estimate future demand for staff

Profile the current workforce

Estimate future supply of staff

Will more or less of a particular staff group be necessary?

Will there need to be a transfer between sites or agencies?
Will the affected staff group need different skills and / or
qualifications?
Will a different skill mix be required - if so how will this be
achieved?
Will any services be rationalised, centralised or contracted out?
Will management re-structuring be necessary?

The effects on the workforce should be quantified (even approximately)

where at all possible
Allocate key dates for each of the major workforce changes identified.

Action Plans to address

imbalances between demand
and supply

Surplus
staff

Insufficient
Staff

Monitor and continually evaluate

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 2
Implications for the Workforce
With reference to Worksheet 1, outline the staffing implications at each stage
1ST STAGE OF THE PROJECT

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

Identify for each task

/ event of this stage:

The key date for

the task / event

The staff related

change that will
occur

The effect on the

workforce (more
/ less staff,
different skills,
different mix of
skills etc)

Quantify the
effects where
possible

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Worksheet 2 (continued)
2nd STAGE OF THE PROJECT

Identify in this
section:
As for Stage 1

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 2 (continued)
3rd STAGE OF THE PROJECT

Identify in this
section:
As for stage 1

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Clarify the future situation

Estimate of Future Demand for Staff

Objective:

Describe the Implications for the Workforce

To specify exact workforce numbers in each staff group

required at each key date.

For each stage in the project, identify the numbers in each staff group
affected, both in headcount and Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) it is
generally best to work in WTE's, however where there are large numbers
of part-time staff, it can be useful to consider headcount also.

Estimate future demand for staff

If an adjustment is required this may also be noted at this stage. This may
be to ensure that current staffing figures fairly represent the present
situation. For example to take account of under or over establishment, or
results of a skill-mix exercise. The new figure should be entered in the
adjustment" column.

Profile the current workforce

The new WTE / headcount figure should be entered under each key date
(as identified in Worksheet 2). Obviously this may be different for the
same staff group at different dates e.g. a staged recruitment process.

Estimate future supply of staff

Action Plans to address

imbalances between demand
and supply

Surplus
staff

Insufficient
Staff

Monitor and continually evaluate

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 3
Estimate of Future Demand for Staff
Based on the staff implications identified in Worksheet 2, quantify the staff changes
New WTE (Headcount)
Grade

Current WTE
(Headcount)

Adjustment

Key Date

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

Key Date

Key Date

Key Date

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Profile the Current Workforce

Clarify the future situation

Objective:

Describe the Implications for the Workforce

Estimate future demand for staff

STEPS
1.

Identify all staff who are affected by the proposed changes broken
down by grade, headcount, WTE, part-time/ full time and sex

2.

Profile the same staff group by grade and age & length of service;
the same profile should be completed for leavers.

3.

Analysis of numbers of leavers and joiners for the last year;

calculate wastage rates and net flow for each staff group, and if
appropriate for each significant grade.

4.

Analysis of leavers and joiners including source of recruitment,

reason for leaving and destination on leaving.

5.

Identify all hard-to-fill posts / vacancies by staff group / grade and

length of time vacant

6.

Analysis of absences for each staff group

7.

Analysis of travel to work pattern by staff group

8.

Based on the above information, estimate for each key date in the
project

Staff lost through internal promotion

Number of retirals
Wastage rates

Profile the current workforce

Estimate future supply of staff

Action Plans to address

imbalances between demand
and supply

Surplus
staff

To allow managers to understand the current

workforce profile and thereby allow them to
estimate internal supply

Insufficient
Staff

Monitor and continually evaluate

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 4
Profile the Current Workforce
Table 1 (May be headcount or WTE or both, and may be expressed in numbers or %)
Full-time
Part-time
Staff Group
Number
Male
Female
Male
Female
(or grade)

Table 2 - Staff Group:

Length of
Service
(Years)
<18
1825
<1
1-2
2-3
3-4
4-5
5-10
11-15
16-20
>20
TOTAL
(%)

Total

(complete for current staff and leavers)

Age (in bands)
2630

3135

3640

4145

4650

Table 3 - Leavers, joiners and wastage rates for the last year
Staff Group
Average
No. Of
Wastage Rate
Staff-in-post
Leavers

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

5155

5660

No. Of New
Starts

6065

>65

TOTAL
(%)

Net Flow
(startsleavers)

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 4(continued)
Profile the Current Workforce
Table 4a - Joiners analysis
Staff Group

Source of recruitment

Numbers

TOTAL
Table 4b - Leavers analysis - reasons for leaving
Staff Group

Reason for leaving

Numbers

TOTAL
Table 4c - Leavers analysis - Destination on leaving
Staff Group

Destination on leaving

Numbers

TOTAL
Table 5 - Vacancy analysis
Staff Group

Hard to fill post

Average time vacant

TOTAL
Table 6 - Absence analysis
Staff Group

Sickness absence

Maternity leave

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

Other

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Table 7 - Travel to Work pattern
Staff Group

Area

Table 8 - Summary of wastage, promotions and retirals

Key Date:
Staff Group

Wastage rate

No. of promotions in
last year

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

No. of retirals
due up to key
date

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Clarify the future situation

Estimate future supply of staff

Objective:

To calculate of the difference between estimated

demand and projected internal supply and thereby
quantify areas of surplus and / or deficit.

Describe the Implications for the Workforce

Estimate future demand for staff

Profile the current workforce

Estimate future supply of staff

Action Plans to address

imbalances between demand
and supply

Surplus
staff

Insufficient
Staff

Monitor and continually evaluate

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 5a
Estimate future supply of staff
Calculation of difference between estimated
demand and projected internal supply
(complete a table for each affected staff group)
Staff Group
Key Date

Key Date

Key Date

Key Date

Current staff
Losses: promotions
wastage
retirals
other
Difference
Gains: internal promotions
Total internal supply
New WTE required
Difference (Numbers to
divest, or recruit
externally)

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 5b
Summary of manpower implications for each staff group
Staff Group

Staff surplus / deficit

Date

Date

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Date

Action Plan
Reference
Date

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Action Plans to address imbalances

between demand and supply

Clarify the future situation

Insufficient Staff
Describe the Implications for the Workforce

Objective:

Estimate future demand for staff

To outline action points, timescales and

responsibility to ensure that the necessary
actions are taken to, as far as possible, recruit
sufficient staff to meet workforce demand at
each key stage of the project.

Staff will need to be recruited from the external labour market. In

formulating the action plan for this, consider the following points:
Profile the current workforce

1.

Do you anticipate any problems reaching the desired level of

recruitment, based on past experience and current trends? If
not, carefully consider whether anything has changed, or will
change which may affect this over the lifespan of the project.

Estimate future supply of staff

2.

If you anticipate there may be some difficulties, then consider

the following:

Have you targeted all possible sources such as colleges/

universities, older people, women returners etc?

Have you tried adjusting the hours / flexibility to suit for

example working mothers

What about crche / childcare facilities

Are pay and conditions an issue - if so could you vary

Could you sponsor students through an appropriate course

Are there staff internally who could be promoted (or quickly

developed to this level)

Could you attract staff away from other parts of the service or
the private sector

Are there any Government schemes which could

Could this part of the service be contracted out

Could the duties of this group be carried out by a less difficult

to recruit to group.

Action Plans to address

imbalances between demand
and supply

Surplus
staff

Insufficient
Staff

Monitor and continually evaluate

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Worksheet 6a
Action Plan
Insufficient Staff

Staff Group:
Action Required

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

Reference Number:
Responsibility

By when

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Action Plans to address imbalances

between demand and supply

Clarify the future situation

Surplus Staff
Describe the Implications for the Workforce

Estimate future demand for staff

Objective:

Staffing levels need to be reduced; in formulating the action plan for

this, the following points should be borne in mind:

How long would it take to shed the surplus staff through normal
methods - wastage, retirals (early or not), promotion? Would this
be acceptable or are more proactive methods required?

Could the rest of the organisation assist by holding vacancies for

the staff affected, perhaps by using temporary contracts

Could the excess staff be re-deployed within the organisation; if

so would some degree of re-training be necessary?

Could they be transferred to another agency, again perhaps with

some re-training (does TUPE apply?)

Have you taken into account the effect of sickness, leave, study
leave, maternity leave and other absences. Also have you looked
at how many staff are likely to retire in the near future

If redundancy is the chosen option, then ensure the organisation

has a redundancy policy and that this is applied. Particularly in
relation to statutory consultation periods, and selection for
redundancy.

Profile the current workforce

Estimate future supply of staff

Action Plans to address

imbalances between demand
and supply

Surplus
staff

Insufficient
Staff

To outline action points, timescales and

responsibility to ensure that the necessary actions
are taken to reduce the workforce to meet new
demand levels at each key stage of the project.

Monitor and continually evaluate

Clarify the future situation

Describe the Implications for the Workforce

Estimate future demand for staff

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

Profile the current workforce

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Worksheet 6b
Action Plan
Surplus Staff

Staff Group:
Action Required

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

Reference Number:
Responsibility

By when

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Workforce Planning Model & Worksheets

Monitor and continually evaluate

Clarify the future situation

Objective:

Describe the Implications for the Workforce

Estimate future demand for staff

Profile the current workforce

Estimate future supply of staff

To ensure that any changes which affect

the planning assumptions are fed into
the supply / demand estimates and the
action plans adjusted accordingly. To
further ensure that the agreed action
plans remain on target.

Ensure that when designing a monitoring and evaluation

system you consider the following:

Is there a group which is overseeing the project e.g. a

steering group? If so how does this link to other similar
groups in the organisation.

How will changes to strategy be fed into the manpower

assumptions regarding supply and demand

How will the workforce action plans be monitored

Do you have an early warning system to detect changes

in manpower trends, or in the environment?

Action Plans to address

imbalances between demand
and supply

Surplus
staff

Insufficient
Staff

Monitor and continually evaluate

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

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Worksheet 7
Monitoring and Evaluation Process
Draw a schematic of how the manpower planning project will be monitored, and how the process of
continual evaluation will take place. Be sure to clearly show the allocation of responsibility.

2015 | Human-Resource-Solutions.co.uk |

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