Five easy steps to workforce planning

Workforce planning is a process, and as with any other process it is helpful to look at it as a series of steps ~ each with an output that leads towards successful completion.

The five step planning cycle presented here can support and guide you through the process of developing your own Workforce action plan [DOCX 318KB] to help you meet your changing workforce needs.

Each step is explored in detail, with questions, suggestions and links to additional information and resources provided as you progress.

Play / Pause

Step 1 — Business context and environment

Workforce planning needs to be directly linked to your business goals, and so the first step is to think about your own business context. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What are my business goals and vision?
  • Where is my business heading? Is it growing, downsizing, transitioning, shifting skills, introducing new technology or is it in a maintenance mode?
  • What are the economic conditions that impact on my industry sector and markets and does this impact on my business?
  • Who are my customers/clients?
  • What is going on internally in my business and how will this impact on my workforce requirements?
  • What are the short, medium and long term goals for my business and what workforce skills and capability will I need to achieve these business goals?

Having a good understanding of the current environment and context of the industry your business is operating in, as well as your goals for the future of your business, will help you to plan your workforce needs and develop strategies to turn your goals into business success.

For information about your industry context, and to access industry training plans, contact your industry training advisory body - external site.

Regional workforce development plans - external site can also provide useful information.

For information on programs and services that can help your business, visit business.gov.au - external site

A continuous flow diagram containing five labelled circles linked by arrows pointing in a clockwise direction. The circles are labelled as follows: Step 1: Business context and environment. Step 2: Current workforce profile Step 3: Future workforce requirements Step 4: Analyse and fill the gap Step 5: Review and evaluate your action plan. The first circle containing Step 1 is highlighted.