Workforce planning is the process of analyzing an organization’s workforce needs to align with its business strategy. The goal of workforce planning is to create a plan that prepares the organization for growth and change, while at the same time creating an efficient and cost-effective workforce. The process involves four main steps: assessing current staff and external labor markets; analyzing current workforce trends; forecasting future workforce needs; and developing strategies for meeting those needs. By taking a proactive approach to workforce planning, organizations can ensure that they are prepared when the need arises and can ensure that their staffing needs are always in line with their business objectives.