Top 7 Manpower Planning Tools

When faced with a vacant position within your organization, how do you ensure that you allocate resources effectively to accomplish the task at hand?

In such scenarios, Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) and other HR professionals typically encounter two choices:

• Either recruit new candidates.
• OR invest in upskilling/reskilling of existing employees.

However, making this decision without a clear understanding of your organization's skill set can be precarious.

Without such insight, there's a risk of overspending on new hires when suitable candidates may already be within your workforce, or conversely, neglecting opportunities to develop the talents of current employees.

This is where leveraging Manpower Planning Tools becomes invaluable.

What are Manpower Planning Tools?

Manpower planning software streamlines the process of identifying the ideal number of employees with the necessary qualifications and expertise for each position within the organization.

By harnessing these tools, companies can trim excess expenses in their human resources systems. The central aim of employing manpower planning platforms is to optimize the synchronization between workforce skills and job requirements, thus refining HR management practices and curtailing unnecessary costs.

In this blog, we will talk about the top 7 manpower planning tools that every organization must have and leverage to meet the demand and supply of critical job-role-specific skills.

Let’s get started!

Top 7 Manpower Planning Tools

1. iMocha

iMocha’s Skills Intelligence platform, powered by AI, revolutionizes manpower planning with its array of benefits.

By employing artificial intelligence, it dissects every job role into distinct skills using advanced skills taxonomies and ontologies.

This granular analysis empowers Talent Managers to precisely assess each employee's current skillset and identify the most suitable candidates for vacant positions.

Additionally, its skills assessment functionality, coupled with a multi-channel skills validation approach, facilitates the seamless identification of talent and optimizes processes like internal mobility and succession planning.

Features:

• Skill Taxonomy for Mastery and Development: iMocha's comprehensive skill taxonomy furnishes organizations with a transparent framework for skill acquisition and development. This empowers HR professionals to meticulously strategize their Talent Management initiatives, targeting candidates and employees based on job-specific skills with precision.
• Unified Competency Framework Enhanced by Skill Ontology: iMocha's unified competency framework, enriched by detailed skill ontologies, ensures consistency and clarity organization-wide. This standardized approach fosters effective workforce planning and strategic alignment.
• Job Architecture for Enhanced Role Definition: iMocha's Job Architecture offers a structured methodology for delineating roles and responsibilities within the organization. By clarifying job descriptions and competency requisites using AI, it empowers candidates and employees to grasp their roles and contributions more effectively, thereby bolstering accountability and clarity.
• Seamless Integration with HR Systems: iMocha's manpower planning tool seamlessly integrates with existing HRMS ecosystems, facilitating smooth data exchange and system compatibility. This ensures streamlined processes and enhanced efficiency across HR functions.

G2 Rating: 4.4/5 (247 reviews)

Founding Year: 2015

Pricing: Contact an iMocha rep for a free trial.

2. DHRP

DHRP's Dynamics Payroll manpower planning platform empowers your organization to execute manpower planning seamlessly, catering to both budgeted and non-budgeted positions. Department managers have the flexibility to initiate recruitment for vacant positions or propose new positions tailored to their specific needs. With this system, positions can be generated following workflow approval, ensuring alignment with organizational requirements.

Features:

• Leverage historical data for forecasting staffing needs and operational periods across departments.
• Anticipate future organizational requirements to prepare for the recruitment of qualified candidates.
• Centralize personnel and candidate skill sets for efficient skill-to-task matching.
• Create part-time, casual, and full-time positions seamlessly.
• Establish multiple shifts and offer overtime during peak production periods.
• Maximize manpower deployment strategy to improve overall workforce efficiency.

G2 Rating: NA

Founding Year: 1993

Pricing: NA

3. Empxtrack

Empxtrack is a cloud-based HR software designed for comprehensive Human Resource and Employee Management. It enables cost reduction, improves team motivation, and fosters a positive work environment.

This manpower planning tool automates various aspects of the Human Resource department, encompassing Performance Management, Human Capital Management, Compensation Planning, Recruitment, Self and Manager Services, Payroll and Compliance, Manpower Planning, and more.

Features:

• Predict future workforce needs using Empxtrack's workforce management software.
• Bridge talent gaps through its personnel planning software.
• Streamline budgeting with efficient workforce tools.
• Utilize real-time workforce analysis tools from Empxtrack for informed decision-making.
• Optimize resource utilization with its manpower planning software.

G2 Rating: 4.8/5 (3 reviews)

Founding Year: 2012

Pricing: NA

4. Truein

Truein’s manpower planning platform provides a Time & Attendance solution utilizing Face Recognition technology, designed specifically for Contractual and Distributed workforces. With the trust of over 300 global customers, Truein aids in revenue protection, boosting workforce productivity, and optimizing resource usage. It seamlessly operates on any mobile/tablet device and offers features such as geofencing and a robust policy framework for automated Overtime, payroll calculations, Shift management, and beyond.

Features:

• Automatically records every In/Out instance and precisely calculates hours worked.
• Efficiently manage shift allocations, whether in bulk or individually and effectively handle weekly fluctuating shift schedules, adjusting staff numbers as needed.
• Utilize the contractor-level limit feature to specify the maximum number of staff sourced from an agency.
• Truein's labor management system includes a configurable and flexible leave management feature.
• Control the daily staff attendance at each site with the site-level limit feature.

G2 Rating: 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Founding Year: 2015

Pricing: NA

5. Cube

Cube is an FP&A platform that seamlessly integrates the flexibility and familiarity of spreadsheets with the control and scalability of performance software. It streamlines processes, minimizes errors, and enhances insights, empowering you to articulate the narrative behind the numbers with unprecedented speed. Moreover, it effortlessly models and analyzes headcount scenarios, aligns staffing levels with business objectives and ensures optimal talent placement to achieve your company's goals.

Features:

• Explore diverse staffing scenarios to attain a strategic edge that aligns with your financial objectives.
• Fine-tune workforce composition to proactively position your organization for success, leveraging the ideal blend of skills and expertise.
• Effortlessly adjust headcount plans on the go, enabling swift responses to market shifts, unforeseen circumstances, or emerging opportunities.
• Efficiently generate, contrast, and evaluate numerous headcount scenarios across various plans to maintain agility and seize every opportunity.

G2 Rating: 4.5/5 (115 reviews)

Founding Year: 2018

Pricing: Cube Software has 3 pricing editions.

PeopleWorks’ manpower planning software operates on three guiding principles: fostering transparency, enhancing productivity, and aligning employees with common organizational objectives. It serves as a comprehensive suite for managing various employee-related activities within an organization.

By integrating departments such as HR, Finance, Payroll, IT, Management, and Admin, PeopleWorks facilitates seamless interaction and assistance for employees across different areas. With its automation capabilities, PeopleWorks streamlines the entire employee journey within the organization, empowering individuals to be productive, accessible, and self-reliant.

Features:

• Streamlines the alignment of manpower resources with business objectives by connecting human resource management with the organization's strategic plan.
• Assesses and fine-tunes the organization's workforce capacity, accounting for resource demands across current obligations and future projects.
• Boosts productivity through refined manpower planning approaches.
• Conducts comprehensive resource gap analyses to identify areas of both over and under-utilization within the workforce.
• Consistently monitors and evaluates the plan's effectiveness to ensure alignment with the organization's desired direction and objectives.

G2 Rating: 4.4/5 (18 reviews)

Founding Year: 2000

Pricing: NA

7. Mekari Talenta

Mekari Talenta is an Indonesia-based SaaS HCM designed for HR professionals, Operations teams, People Managers, and Business Owners seeking enhanced business efficiency and a people-centric approach. By offering HR process automation and seamless system integration, Mekari Talenta simplifies business operations and accelerates decision-making processes. With this platform, you can optimize company and employee management, driving accelerated business growth.

Features:

• Ensure your recruitment strategy aligns with your overarching vision and addresses long-term challenges effectively.
• Effortlessly pinpoint any essential skill gaps within your workforce.
• Stay ahead of the curve by anticipating future workforce requirements.
• Attain hiring excellence by accurately defining the skills and expertise required for each job role.

G2 Rating: 4.5/5 (1 reviews)

Founding Year: 2013

Pricing: NA

Conclusion

While choosing the ideal Manpower Planning Tool for your organization, there are a few things you should consider:

• Scalability: Ensure the tool can accommodate the organization's growth and changing workforce needs.
• Integration: Look for seamless integration with existing HR systems and processes
• Customization: Seek a tool that can be tailored to match the organization's unique requirements and workflows.
• Data Analytics: Prioritize tools with robust analytics capabilities for informed decision-making.
• User-Friendly Interface: Choose a tool with an intuitive interface for easy adoption and usage across the organization.

Opting for solutions such as iMocha for your manpower planning requirements can prove to be a crucial investment. Not only does it streamline skills management through innovative features like skills architecture, taxonomies, and AI-powered ontologies, but it also assesses the proficiency of your employees and job candidates.

By identifying skill gaps, it enhances your Talent Acquisition and Talent Management processes, fostering efficiency and precision.

FAQs

1. What is a manpower planning tool?

A manpower planning tool is a software solution or platform designed to assist organizations in effectively managing their workforce. These tools typically offer features such as forecasting future workforce needs, analyzing current workforce capabilities, identifying skill gaps, automating recruitment processes, optimizing staffing levels, and facilitating strategic decision-making related to workforce management. These tools help organizations align their human resource capabilities with their business goals and objectives, ultimately enhancing productivity, efficiency, and overall performance.

2. How to do manpower planning?

Before delving into forecasting future manpower needs, managers must conduct a thorough evaluation of the current workforce inventory. The choice of manpower planning method in HRM depends on various factors such as the organizational structure, departmental composition, and the distribution of employees across different work units.

Manpower planning is a multifaceted process that encompasses the utilization of several forecast models, including:

• Trend Analysis: Utilizing extrapolation, indexation, and statistical analysis to anticipate shifts in workforce demand.
• Workload Analysis: Evaluating workload characteristics to align with available manpower resources.
• Employment Program Development: Creating hiring or training initiatives based on accurate future forecasts.
• Training Program Design: Tailoring diversification, training, and development programs to enhance workforce productivity and adapt to technological advancements.

3. What are the benefits of manpower planning?

Strategic implementation of manpower planning not only affects HR departments but also has broader implications for overall business performance.

Here are some key benefits companies can derive from effective manpower planning:

• Enhanced Business Productivity: By accurately estimating the quantity and types of workforce and technology required, companies can boost productivity.
• Alignment of Workforce with Business Needs: Effective manpower planning ensures that the company maintains a high-quality workforce that aligns with its business objectives.
• Early Problem Detection and Mitigation: Manpower planning helps identify issues in the management system, particularly in HR, allowing for early detection and implementation of mitigation strategies.
• Efficient Workforce Administration: With well-planned manpower strategies, companies can prevent disruptions caused by vacant positions due to employee turnover, ensuring smooth organizational operations.
• Strategic Decision-Making for Workforce Development: Manpower planning empowers HR managers to make strategic decisions regarding technology adoption, skill development, and employee satisfaction initiatives.
• Cost-Effective Labor Management: According to Deloitte, effective manpower planning enables companies to accurately budget for labor costs, contributing to cost-effective management.
• Improved Customer Satisfaction: Effective manpower planning leads to the establishment of robust systems and standards within the company, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.