Question 1
1. Explain how strategic human resource planning (SHRP) and recruitment and selection are
used together to ensure that an organisation has sufficient staff with the required skills,
knowledge and experience to do the work.
Strategic Human Resource Planning (SHRP) sets the foundation
Strategic Human Resource Planning (SHRP) is the process through which an organisation translates
its overall goals into human resource needs. This involves ensuring that the organisation has neither
too many nor too few employees and that those employees have the right skills, talents, and
motivation to meet the organisation’s objectives. SHRP forecasts future staffing needs by analysing
the current workforce, anticipating changes, and identifying gaps between what the organisation has
and what it will require in the future. This process guides all subsequent HR activities, making sure
that human resources align with long-term organisational goals.
Recruitment identifies potential candidates
Once SHRP identifies the staffing needs, recruitment begins by attracting qualified candidates to fill
the anticipated gaps. Recruitment focuses on searching for, finding, and encouraging potential
applicants to apply for positions within the organisation. This stage ensures that a large and diverse
pool of applicants is available, from which the organisation can later select the most suitable
individuals. Effective recruitment relies on understanding the specific job requirements determined
earlier through job analysis and design, ensuring that only candidates with relevant qualifications and
capabilities are targeted.
Selection chooses the best fit
Selection is the process of carefully evaluating the applicants gathered through recruitment and
choosing the individuals best suited to the available positions. While recruitment casts a wide net,
selection narrows it down to ensure that only the most qualified and motivated candidates are hired.
This process involves assessing whether the applicants have the right mix of skills, knowledge, and
experience to perform effectively and contribute to the organisation’s long-term success. Effective
selection directly impacts organisational performance because hiring the right people leads to higher
productivity, efficiency, and retention.
The sequence ensures alignment and efficiency
SHRP, recruitment, and selection are deliberately sequenced to work together. SHRP provides clarity
about what the organisation needs; recruitment brings in potential talent to meet those needs; and
selection ensures the best candidates are chosen from that talent pool. Without SHRP, recruitment
efforts might be unfocused or unnecessary. Without recruitment, selection would lack suitable
candidates to choose from. Together, they create a streamlined and logical process that aligns
staffing with organisational goals.
Together, they secure the right workforce
By integrating SHRP, recruitment, and selection, an organisation ensures it has enough staff with the
right competencies to meet its current and future needs. This combined approach helps the
organisation avoid understaffing or overstaffing, maintain the right skill mix, and ensure that
employees are positioned where they can contribute most effectively. Ultimately, the alignment of
these HR activities strengthens the organisation’s ability to deliver on its strategic goals and maintain
a competitive edge.