Explain the importance of workforce planning for the effective performance of a university.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Definition - 'The analysis and forecasting of the numbers of workers and the skills of those workers that are required by an organisation to achieve its objectives'.
2. Some candidates are interpreting workforce planning in very general terms. Marks should be awarded only if the points made are clearly related to an accurate understanding of what workforce planning is said to involve.
3. [Explanation] factors such as an ageing population, technological skill change, competition, changing consumer demands and expectations suggest the need for a relevant, agile and adaptable workforce. Some may well be important in a University
4. [Explanation] workforce planning is about deciding how many and what types of workers are required at any particular time in line with mission and strategy of an organisation
5. [Explanation] process of analysing current competencies, competencies needed in the future, building on relevant workforce is critical for business performance
6. [Explanation] workforce planning provides a strategic framework for making HRM decisions; it provides methods for addressing present and future workforce issues
7. [Explanation] it gives a focus to such issues as workforce demographics, retirement projections, skill changes, succession planning, new skills required, positions that need to be filled
8. [Explanation] organisational success and performance depends on having the right employees with the right competencies at the right time; workforce planning provides a method(s) of securing this situation
9. [Explanation] workforce planning is necessary; if a business/University does not have a sound workforce planning system, it will be reactive and suffer surprises
10. [Explanation] a University needs staff engaged in relevant research and teaching
11. (4-5 marks) Effective explanation of the importance of workforce planning for the effective performance of a University
12. (2-3 marks) Limited explanation of the importance of workforce planning for the effective performance of a business/organisation
13. (1 mark) Understanding of workforce planning.
14. (0 marks) No creditable content