Introduction

Background

Although human resource planning has existed in the Federal Public Service for a number of years, the full alignment of human capital needs with organizational goals and priorities is a relatively new concept.

As a means to coordinate human resources with current and future business needs in the Federal Public Service, departments including WD began integrating human resource planning with business planning.

In 2007-08, WD prepared its first Corporate Business Plan, which aligned with its Report on Plans and Priorities. Each WD region also prepared a regional business plan, and the corporate business units prepared individual business plans. Through integrated planning, human resource needs, both current and future, were aligned with WD’s strategic direction and organizational priorities.

Objectives

The objective of the audit was to provide assurance on the adequacy, effectiveness and completeness of the human resource planning and policy framework at WD.

The audit assessed the degree of integration of human resource planning with business planning at WD.

Scope and Methodology

The processes examined included not only the human resource planning process, but also succession planning, business planning and the human resource policy framework as it related to human resource planning.

The audit involved the examination of documents including, but not limited to: WD integrated Corporate and Regional Business Plans, the Canada Public Service Agency Integrated Planning Guides, and the Report of the Expert Panel on Integrated Business and Human Resource Planning in the Federal Public Service. In addition, the auditors reviewed a number of integrated human resource plans from other federal government departments.

The auditors interviewed planning team members from all regions. In total, 19 WD employees involved in planning were interviewed along with appropriate personnel from the Canada Public Service Agency who were utilized in a consulting capacity.