The Role of Human Resources in Strategic Planning

Contemporary organizations are faced with the challenges of changing economic and market conditions, productive labor, competition, and the struggle for survival. Traditionally, organizations have focused on material assets, cost cutting, and reduced employee expenses as a means of increasing competitiveness and profits (CSU-Global, 2013). However, this approach is becoming a less viable tactic in today’s complex and dynamic environment. Instead, an organization must recognize the value and importance of its people in implementing the strategies which lead to business success (CSU-Global, 2013). This places an organization’s human resources (HR) in a prominent role when developing strategic plans for the future.

The Strategic Planning Process

Setting goals and developing plans to attain those goals are critical components of organizational success. According to Reed and Bogardus (2012), “strategic planning is a systematic way of setting the direction for an organization and developing tactics and operational plans to ensure its success” (p. 109). The strategic plan outlines specifically where the organization wants to go and what it will do to move the organization towards that desired outcome. However, it is important to note that strategic planning is an ongoing process, not a one-time plan (Reed & Bogardus, 2012). Strategic planning evolves as organizations cope with changing conditions, problems, and demands.

The strategic planning process generally includes a pre-planning stage followed by four main components. This process is described in detail by Reed and Bogardus (2012). During pre-planning, business leaders must commit to the strategic planning process and make decisions regarding the participants, time fr...

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...ss, organizations will be better able to establish a productive workforce with the qualities needed to carry out the strategy and accomplish long-term goals.

References

Anca-Loana, M. (2013). New approaches of the concepts of human resources, human resources management and strategic human resources management. Annals of the University Of Oradea, Economic Science Series, 22(1), 1520-1525.

Colorado State University-Global Campus. (2013). Module 2 – Strategic management [Blackboard ecourse]. In MGT 570 – Managing Human Resources (pp. 1-6). Greenwood Village, CO: Author.

Kimberly, J. (2009). The Pitfalls of Strategic Planning. Business NH Magazine, 26(5), 38.

Reed, S. M., & Bogardus, A. M. (2012). PHR/SPHR: Professional in human resources certification study guide (4th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing, Inc. ISBN-13: 9781118289174