The Monthly SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) continues to publish great articles on topics important to all of us in HR technology.   In the March 2007 appears a great article for all of us talking about the importance of Workforce Intelligence.  One of the keys to this article are the questions that the author asks us to ask business managers in our organizations.  Here are some of them:

• What are our key business goals and objectives for the next two years?* What are our three greatest organizational strengths?* Who are our competitors��� organizational strengths? How do we compare?* What are the top three priorities we must execute to reach our goals in the next six to 12 months?* What are the three to five core capabilities we need to win in our markets?* What are the required knowledge, skills and abilities that are needed to execute the strategy?* What are the barriers to optimally achieving the strategy? What are the key gaps that need attention?* What types of skills/positions will be required? No longer needed?* Which skills should we have internally vs. buy vs. rent?* What actions need to be taken to align resources with priorities?* What are the most critical workforce issues we currently face?* What recognition/rewards are needed to encourage and sustain desired employee behavior?* How will we know if we���re effectively executing our workforce plan and staying on track?

FINALLY, an HR publication is focusing on business questions.  SHRM got this right and if metrics/analytics and business intelligence is going to be of true value in this talent management, human capital management based focus in organizations today, the business questions are truly what will give organizations a competitive edge.

Beginning today, add Workforce Intelligence into each of your HR strategy discussions; without it, why are you doing HR?

Another infusion of knowledge..

Link to Feb. 2007 HR Magazine: Putting Forecasting in Focus