Most organisations write a workforce plan when they are growing fast or restructuring, and then stop looking at it. The business keeps moving. The plan does not.
1. Overtime has become normal
When the same teams work late every month, the plan has under-counted the work. Overtime is a symptom, not a strategy.
2. You are hiring for roles nobody can describe
If a hiring manager struggles to write the job description, the role was probably never planned. It was created to fill a gap.
3. Performance problems sit in one place
When several people struggle in the same role, look at the role before you look at the people. The scope may be unclear, or it may simply be too much work for one person.
4. Training is bought but nothing changes
Training works when it is aimed at a problem someone has actually diagnosed. Courses picked from a catalogue rarely are.
5. Nobody can say how many people you will need next year
A plan should answer that with a number and a reason. If yours cannot, it is time to look at it again.
