Do you really need Strategic Workforce Planning?

Choosing the right workforce planning approach for your organisation

Workforce planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. While Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) helps organisations plan for the long term, Tactical and Operational Workforce Planning address more immediate and mid-term needs. Understanding when to apply each approach is critical to workforce resilience, cost efficiency, and business success. Which planning approach is right for you?

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Strategic, Tactical, or Operational Workforce Planning – which one does your organisation need?

Many organisations turn to Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) as a catch-all solution for their workforce needs. But is it always the right approach?

In reality, businesses often face more immediate and evolving workforce challenges that require a different strategy—Tactical or Operational Workforce Planning. Understanding when to focus on long-term workforce strategy and when to act swiftly to address pressing needs is critical to building a resilient and effective workforce.

Workforce planning approaches

• Tactical Workforce Planning (TWP): reacting to immediate needs
  If your organisation needs a fast response to workforce challenges, such as optimising resources, managing shifts, or addressing workload imbalances, Tactical Workforce Planning is the best fit. Typically applied over a 3 to 9-month period, TWP helps businesses optimise cost, capability, and capacity to meet short-term demand spikes.
• Operational Workforce Planning (OWP): preparing for change
  For organisations anticipating changes in business conditions over the next 1-2 years, Operational Workforce Planning is key. OWP focuses on forecasting workforce needs, identifying skill gaps, and maintaining an optimal workforce profile. This approach ensures businesses remain adaptable and equipped for future shifts in demand.
• Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP): future-proofing the workforce
  If your goal is to proactively shape your workforce over the next 3 to 5+ years, SWP is the way forward. It involves modelling workforce trends, aligning strategy with market shifts, and optimising workforce investment. SWP is essential for organisations looking to build a long-term competitive advantage through effective talent planning and investment. Download our guide on delivering a Strategic Workforce Plan here.

Choosing the right approach

Below are the features of each Workforce Planning type to help you choose the right workforce plan.

Need help defining your workforce planning strategy? Contact our experts