What is the meaning of "workforce planning"?

Workforce planning refers to the systematic approach that an organization utilizes to ensure that it has the right number of people with the right skills in the right positions at the right time. This process involves analyzing and forecasting the organization's future workforce needs based on various factors such as organizational goals, industry trends, and labor market conditions. By effectively planning the workforce, organizations can identify gaps in skills and capabilities, plan for training and development, and ensure alignment between their strategic objectives and human resources.

In contrast, the other choices focus on more specific aspects of human resource management. Recruitment is solely about attracting new talent, employee performance analysis centers on assessing current employees, and evaluating benefits relates to compensation rather than the broader strategic initiative of workforce planning. Thus, the option that highlights the comprehensive assessment and forecasting of future workforce needs aligns best with the definition of workforce planning.