The Art Of Strategic HR

In this article we will provide a definition, background, and a suggested path to begin the process of strategic human resources. There are a lot of benefits to HR in engaging in strategic planning. Developing a strategic HR plan begins with assessing the organization's current environment, creating statements of vision, values and mission post which the Implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the HR strategic plan is carried out. Let us walk you through it.

What is strategic HR?

Strategic human resources management is a process that aims to create and implement HR programs that solve business problems and contribute directly to long-term business goals.
The role of HR management used to be primarily an administrative function that dealt with day-to-day tasks such as employee recruitment, selection, and managing employee benefits. Changes in the labor market and new business thinking require HR business strategies that include recruiting, retaining, and providing cultural leadership.
Strategic planning can present both great opportunities and challenges even for HR Pros. Nearly all global HR leaders are involved in strategic decision-making and make up the strategy team. Most HR professionals say that strategic planning is an integral part of their job. However, many HR professionals working in small and medium-sized organizations don't often get involved in functional or organizational strategic planning. To achieve long-term strategic HR goals and be a key participant in an organization's strategic plan process, HR departments might need to convince the senior management of the importance and contribution that HR can make.

Benefits of HR Strategic Planning

The more HR is aligned with the overall business strategy, the better it can anticipate customer needs and maintain a competitive advantage. A business strategy is possible through careful planning, research, and development, including workforce culture, behaviors, and competencies.

Here are some of the benefits of strategic HR planning:

• Avoid costly and disruptive surprises that can interfere with your goals.
• Addressing key issues promptly, avoiding crises.
• Promotion of employee productivity and organizational success.
• To positively influence how work is done by providing direction.
• Keeping employees focused on the organization's goals.
• The strategic focus for training and development.
• There is an availability of tools that help leaders focus on their strategic initiatives and execute them.

HOW TO DEVELOP HR STRATEGY OBJECTIVES

Strategic objectives are an essential part of strategic planning. These objectives should align with the organization's vision, mission, and overall strategy. Each organization will have its unique strategic objectives.

The following questions can be used by HR to determine if strategic objectives are a foundation for success:

• Are the benefits of achieving the defined goals communicated and outlined?
• Do the strategic goals relate to the company's position in the market? Do they consider the size of competitors, financial strength, and organizational size?
• Are the strategic goals able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the organization?
• Does the company have employees who understand the meaning of these objectives and contribute individually and collectively?
• Is it realistic and possible to achieve the strategic goals? Unrealistic goals often lead to disappointment for everyone.
• Are there timelines and targets for completing objectives?
• Can the organization realistically quantify the success or failure of strategic objectives?
• Is it possible to link the strategic objectives back to its overall strategy?

ABC Company might, for example, identify in its strategic planning analysis the need to improve talent acquisition. This strategic objective is to create selection criteria to ensure the best-fit hiring and reduce filling time.

After identifying a key initiative, the organization should take the following steps:

• Ensure that the action plan and the objectives align with the HR and organizational strategy.
• Identify the main actions that are required to reach the goal.
• Set milestones and make plans for contingencies.
• Identify the resources required, including budgets and staff.
• Set up success measures
• Communicate the key messages

A strategic objective can only be as effective as the overall strategic plan.
While many companies engage in strategic planning activities, few believe they successfully execute strategy. A survey conducted by the American Management Association and the Human Resources Institute found that only 3 percent of executives believed their companies were extremely successful in executing corporate strategies. In contrast, 62% said their organizations were moderately successful. Companies that had achieved high levels of success in executing their strategy were more likely to achieve positive revenue growth, market share, and customer satisfaction.
Although every company has its challenges in executing a strategy, the study revealed that it is crucial to master these areas to implement strategic plans successfully.

• Clarity in communication
• Alignment of practice.
• Leadership.
• A flexible organizational infrastructure.
• Management of resources.

According to the study, lack of resources is the greatest obstacle to executing a strategy.

The Foundation Of Strategic Planning

These four critical questions are the foundation of strategic planning:

• What are our current circumstances? (Check the current situation.
• What do we want to become? (Visualize and articulate a future you want)
• How can we get there? (Formulate and execute a strategy.)
• How can we tell if we're on the right track to reach our destination? (Establish a system to measure progress.)

How To Develop a Strategic HR Plan

HR is responsible for developing and promoting the culture, behaviors, and competencies required to achieve organizational goals.

These are some examples of results-oriented goals:

• Correctly assessing skills and staffing needs and maintaining up-to-date training: Understanding the interdependence of the organizational components is essential to recognize the long-term consequences of HR decisions. Before any changes can be made, it is important to research and analyze HR decisions' impact thoroughly.
• Maintaining and developing competitive benefits and pay.
• Designing a reward system that motivates employees and manages performance: Learn and practice analytic skills that focus on the "why" and "the how." This could mean that you spend more time on "the why" and less on transactional tasks (such as training, recruitment, human resource information systems, or other traditional HR functions)
• It is important to know what your competitors are doing to recruit and retain talent.
• Do a SWOT analysis on their organization to determine their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. SWOT analysis provides a better understanding of the talent, customers, markets, and competitors.
• Training, including ethics that reinforces corporate values.

THE END GAME: EVALUATE AND MONITOR

Establishing a system to track and evaluate progress towards achieving strategic objectives should be the final step. This is why most organizations hold quarterly or annual strategic reviews. The reviews help in achieving the following:

• If the organization is on track for achieving key goals.
• Give the chance to adapt and identify significant internal or external changes that could affect the strategic plan.
• Update actions towards annual priorities.

For some organizations, systems and tools like balanced scorecards and benchmarking can help keep track of results and keep them focused.