Dresner ranks Unit4 as a #1 vendor for Workforce Planning and Analysis tools – learn how they can align HR with corporate goals
In Dresner’s 2024 market study on workforce planning, they make clear the value of using integrated Workforce Planning and Analysis tools not just to address cost imbalances within HR, but also a tool to improve employee experience and engagement.
In their report, they praise Unit4 as a #1 vendor for Workforce Planning and Analysis tools, thanks to its integrated planning, analytics, integration, technology, and deployment capabilities.
Keep reading to learn more about the importance of Workforce Planning and Analysis for modern HR departments, and how Unit4 can help you optimize HR processes with our best-of-breed solution.
What is Workforce Planning and Analysis?
In simple terms, Workforce Planning and Analysis is a key insight we can gain from integrating HR and financial data. As HR costs are often the highest for an organization, data-driven insight is needed to forecast current and future needs, address operational imbalances, and reduce costs.
Dresner Advisory Service VP and Distinguished Analyst, Jim Erickson provides his definition in the report: “Workforce planning and analysis are the tools and processes that help align workforces with business goals, strategies, and workplace dynamics.”
Workforce Planning and Analysis isn’t just about aligning HR operations with financial goals but is also about improving the employee experience – Dresner found that “HR respondents are the most likely users”, demonstrating its value for optimizing human capital management.
Why is Workforce Planning and Analysis of value to HR leaders?
In Howard Dresner’s words “Our study underscores the expanding role of performance management across various business functions beyond the traditional scope of finance.”
For organizations who want insight into the employee experience outside of HR data, Workforce Planning and Analysis tools help HR leaders to get the full story, gather data on the employee experience, and understand the relationship between financial performance and employee allocation.
These insights enable HR leaders to use employees where they perform best, aiding the employee experience as well as aligning HR processes with corporate goals.
A study from Harvard Business Review reported an improved employee experience increased revenue by more than 50%, and profits by nearly as much. This implies that supporting people managers to improve the employee experience can directly lead to better organizational performance.
Without the integration of financial and HR data in the Cloud, the office of the CHRO will not be able to gain these insights across the siloed data of on-premises systems. Digital transformation will put HR leaders back in control of their data, allowing them to optimize HR costs, operations, and the employee experience.
Dresner’s report finds that 82% of organizations surveyed are currently using or plan to adopt these tools in the next 2 years, while 46% of respondents name this a top priority for their business. There is a growing interest in Workforce Planning and Analysis tools not just for cost savings, but for the insight into HR operations they provide.
The key capabilities that Unit4 Workforce Planning and Analysis will provide
By integrating financial and HR data with a single source of truth, the Cloud can provide capabilities like data visualization, intelligent scenario planning, advanced report generation, and more, to help HR leaders align their HR operations with wider corporate goals.
The key capabilities:
Seamless Integration:
- Integrated data ensures both financial and HR professionals can have access to data from respective functions, which is key to optimizing cost efficiencies within HR, and understanding how HR affects financial performance
- Workforce Planning and Analysis can easily integrate with existing integrations and applications through the Unit4 Extension Kit
Data management:
- Granular analysis of the workforce, for each employee, organization, and vacancy
- Workflow-supported planning, status checks, and process documentation to ensure transparency
- AI-automated data-entry checks and advanced reporting capabilities
- Easy management of individual user rights to ensure compliance (e.g. GDPR-compliant)
Metrics and KPIs:
- Pre-built forms & individual HR analytics dashboards
- Rich graphics and highly interactive representations
- Business Intelligence for HR-related and financial KPIs
- Skill matrix helps employee allocation
- Diversity analytics and SLAM analysis with multiple dimensions.
How can Unit4 Workforce Planning and Analysis optimize your HR processes
The fact the C-suite is interested in workforce planning tools demonstrates they are more than a cost-saving practice, as the integration of the tool is key to aligning HR with corporate goals – CHROs should wield Workforce Planning and Analysis tools in their goals to become strategic members of the C-suite, not just support.
Dresner ranks Unit4 as a #1 vendor for Workforce Planning and Analysis tools, Howard Dresner highlights the need for these tools, and highlights Unit4’s strong performance in the study:
“Facing an array of external challenges, organizations are looking for a more holistic approach to performance management to respond adaptively, make informed decisions, and execute strategies with precision. We congratulate Unit4 on their strong performance in our annual assessment of the Workforce Planning and Analysis market.”
Read Dresner’s report to get an in-depth understanding of the outlook for Workforce Planning and Analysis tools. Join the conversation about the value of workforce planning by listening to our podcast with Jim Erickson of Dresner or consult our blog to find the highlights.
