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Phase I Answers the question: What are our key business goals for the next two years and what are the human capital implications of those strategic goals? Identify major business strategies that have human capital implications. Not only do the business strategies determine the demand for labor, they also help the organization determine the demand for other functions such as training and development.

If your agency has completed a strategic planning process, workforce planning normally follows that process. By having a strategic plan, the workforce planning team will clearly understand the mission, goals and strategic objectives of the organization. There is a distinct link between strategic planning and workforce planning that together provides a roadmap for determining the future direction and needs of your organization.

If your agency has not completed a strategic plan, you may wish to consider that step before continuing this process. At a minimum, you will need to have an in-depth discussion with your organizational leadership to obtain information regarding your agency's business direction in order to understand the human capital requirements for the future. There should be a clear understanding of organizational objectives and the link to workforce planning.

Organizational leadership should consider the following questions:

• What are our strategic goals and objectives?
• Do we have the right competencies and the people to achieve our objectives?

If not, are we willing to set in motion strategies to obtain the needed competencies and resources to meet our business needs?