Characteristics of Human Resource Planning (HRP) | Human Resource Management

 Characteristics of Human Resource Planning (HRP)!

Human resource planning (HRP) is the process of foreseeing the future requirement of human resources, estimating for determine source of supply and maintaining balance between these two activities. It indicates following features or characteristics :

 1. Future oriented 

Human resource planning is the future oriented activity of human resource management. It determines the future requirement of human resources but it doesn't study about the types and quantity of human resources which are required for present situation.

 2. Goal oriented 

Human resource planning is a goal directed activity. It is guided by organizational goal and it is prepared to achieve the goals. It also has its own goals such as achieving right person for right place and in right time. Its goal is to support succession planning, human resource development, etc.

 3. Continuous function 

Human resource planning is a dynamic function of human resource management. Organization required the human resource planning continuously till their existence. However, it is changing according to the needs of environmental dynamism. In other word, human resource planning will be change in according to the changes in environmental forces.

 4. Part of corporate plan

Corporate plan is a frame work design to provide direction to the whole organization and all the activities. However, human resource planning is a part of such plan and it is based on the corporate plan. It sets activities to support corporate plan through the effective and efficient utilization of human resources.

 5. System approach 

Human resource planning is a sub-system of human resource management and itself a complete system. It includes the combination of different activities such as assessment of human resources needs, demand and supply forecasting, matching between demand and supply, job analysis, human resource inventory, etc which aims to ensure right person at right place at right time.

 6. Time frame

Human resource planning has a fixed period of time. It has a clear starting and ending of time. It can be short-term and long term-plan.

 7. Demand and supply of human resources 

HRP is based on the forecasting of future requirement or demand of human resources. It also predicts the sources of supply by which required human resources can made available. Human resource planning ensures effective match between demand and supply of human resources.

 8.  Quality and quantity 

HRP is a process which predicts future requirement of human resources not only in quantity or numbers but it also focuses on qualities or kinds of human resources required to the organization. It tries to ensure right numbers and kinds of human resources to accomplish organizational goals.

 9. Productivity 

HRP focuses on improving productivity. It promotes competent work forces in the organization by which they ensure optimum utilization of all other resources, minimize cost and reduce wastage. This will contribute for the better productivity.

10.  Applicable 

HRP is applicable to all organization including government, corporate and public institutions to accomplish their objectives.