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Making the Most of Staffing Models

Assemble an efficient workforce by making the most of staffing models

By Dianne Borgeson
Staffing models, also sometimes called staffing plans, are useful tools that help strategic management analyze, plan and evaluate workers' production and staffing needs. These models come in the form of reports, charts or graphs for strategic management to easily analyze and review.

Before putting staffing models and workforce planning to work for your business, it's important to have the knowledge and resources available to you to show you how they work. Consider the following when making the most of staffing models:

1. Increase your knowledge base with white papers and articles on staffing plans and workforce planning.

2. Refer to checklists, templates and diagrams for additional knowledge and training to implement a successful staffing model.

3. Network with other professionals in community forums and blogs for insight on what others consider key in implementing a successful staffing business plan.

 

Research what's involved in creating successful staffing model solutions

Business staffing models are key to making your workforce management programs run smoothly. There are numerous models available and it's good to research best practices and review case studies of successful staffing models that have worked for other businesses to find one that will work for your operation.
Try: Allegis Group Services' knowledge resource center includes a series of white papers you can request, from best practices to reengineering your contingent workforce to contingency planning and more. Review some of them to see what tips you can apply in designing your own. Gain insight with an article published by Penton Media on "How to Build a Staffing Plan." While the article focuses on developing one for universities, this basic approach can be applied to any business. Read an article on eHow entitled, "How to Use a Strategic Staffing Plan," which provides tips on involving your current staff and managers, how to source effectively and more when developing and implementing a plan.

Increase your knowledge of staffing models through checklists and staffing plan examples

Create a staffing model just right for your operation by gathering the necessary resources to help you design it. Refer to staffing plan checklists and staffing models on the Internet to see basic ones include and then tailor to fit your specific need.
Try: Review the Information Services Board (ISB) website, which not only gives a definition and instructions of a staffing plan for project management, but provides a handy checklist and templates to download--useful tools to get you started when designing your own. Rand offers insight for staffing and workforce planning in complex organizations. Review the four key questions to consider when developing a model for your company. Consult with Mau to develop the right staffing plan for your business. Compare a traditional model to the complex outsourced model they offer.

Access community forums and blogs for more tips for a staffing plan

Forecasting is one important factor to consider when designing a business plan for staffing. Depending on the nature of your business and staffing needs, these factors will vary. Logging on to community forums allows you to network with other professionals in your field on what must be considered when creating a plan.
Try: Review a blog by Deborah L. Kluge on staffing plans and what they should convey as well as how they can vary among companies. Browse Workforce Management's community forum on additional factors that some consider when designing a plan.

 

  • Consider using scheduling software to help you make the most of your business staffing plan. Scheduling software allows you to print reports off easily that are vital in building your plan, like costs associated with staffing, scheduling and turnover, saving you time on research, especially if you're already using this software in your business.
  • Designing a staffing model or plan can be difficult. Consider a staffing firm to help you out. You can always terminate their services once you feel more comfortable handling this on your own.

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