To be successful, a functional strategic plan needs to offer more than a list of pro- jects to be completed within a specific period of time. Yet, like most staff func- tions, human resources (HR) often does a poor job of aligning its efforts with the enterprise’s overall strategy and objectives. Grounded in seven best practices that call for thorough evaluation and assessment of people, processes, and systems, the framework for effective strategic planning presented here can be applied not only to HR, but also to other departments. Showcasing examples of planning deliver- ables, various data collection and analysis tools, and the experiences of a global healthcare company, it illustrates how managers can make the most cost-effective and productive use of all employees to optimize work throughout the organization.

Click here for the complete article: Wiley Periodicals, Inc.