In HR planning, forecasting is used to accomplish which outcome?

• A. Predict future staffing needs
• B. Increase wage premiums
• C. Create performance appraisals
• D. Design recruitment ads

Answer: (A)

Forecasting in HR planning focuses on estimating how many employees with what skills will be needed in the future to meet organizational goals. By predicting future staffing needs, HR can plan recruiting, training, and succession so the organization has the right people in place when demand changes, avoiding both overstaffing and understaffing.

The best choice is predicting future staffing needs because forecasting is specifically about anticipating workforce requirements and timing. The other options describe separate HR activities: increasing wage premiums relates to compensation strategy, creating performance appraisals is part of performance management, and designing recruitment ads is about attracting candidates rather than forecasting headcount.