Evaluate the extent to which the future success of NFP's operations depends on effective workforce planning.

Mark scheme

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

1. [16] Definition of workforce planning
2. [16] Workforce planning helps to ensure the right number of people with the right skills are in the right place at the right time to deliver short- and long-term organisational objectives
3. [16] NFP's operations will require careful workforce planning: Closure of farm – workers re-deployed?
4. [16] Takeover of VF factory – job losses and/or retraining to operate new machines.
5. [16] Frozen food project – new workers needed? New skills? Can farm workers be retrained?
6. [16] Labour turnover of IT employees.
7. [16] If no workforce planning then: labour shortages can occur – which will hold back production and limit NFP's ability to increase profits; employees may be over worked; key employees may not be replaced.
8. [16] Alternatively, excess labour might be employed [e.g. after integration of VF] which raises costs and again limits ability to increase profits
9. [16] New skills needed - if IT workers are not retained or if VF workers are not retrained then production/productivity will be low.
10. [16] Essential as NFP are involved in several significant changes and have clear aim to raise profits
11. [16] Future success also driven by careful/effective strategic choice e.g. risks of product and market development expansion might lead to losses
12. [16] External factors might be just as important e.g. increase in interest rates could make the frozen food project unprofitable.
13. [16] Sian's leadership style could also be a real issue influencing NFP's success despite effective workforce planning.