HR planning is a mechanism created to forecast the required human resource to perform a specific task. It also assesses the skill requirement of employees for each job. It is a complex task which estimates the future demand and supply position of HR in the organization. Hence, it gives a picture of infinite future in advance in terms of human resource requirement for the company. Here, the approaches to HR planning are as follows:
1. Quantitative Approach
It is also known as top down approach of HR planning under which top level make and efforts to prepare the draft of HR planning. It is a management-driven approach under which the HR planning is regarded as a number's game. It is based on the analysis of Human Resource Management Information System and HR Inventory Level. On the basis of information provided by HRIS, the demand of manpower is forecasted using different different quantitative tools and techniques such as trend analysis, mathematical models, economic models, market analysis, and so on. The focus of this approach is to forecast human resource surplus and shortages in an organization. In this approach major role is played by top management.
2. Qualitative Approach
This approach is also known as bottom up approach of HR planning under which the subordinates make an effort to prepare the draft of HR planning.Hence, it is also called sub-ordinate-driven approach of HR planning. It focuses om individual employee concerns. It is concerned with matching organizational needs with employee needs. Moreover, it focuses on employee's training, development and creativity. Similarly, compensation, incentives, employee safety, welfare, motivation and promotion etc. are the primary concerns of this approach. In this approach, major role is played by lower level employees.
3. Mixed Approach
This is called mixed approach because it combines both top-down and bottom-up approaches of HR planning. In fact, the effort is made to balance the antagonism between employees and the management. Hence, it tends to produce the best result that ever produced by either of the methods. Moreover, it is also regarded as an Management By Objective(MBO) approach of HR planning. There is a equal participation of each level of employees of the organization.
