The Business Management and Strategy - HR and the Strategic Planning Process course is the 4th of 20 courses developed as part of the Human Resources Certification Program.

In this course, our focus will be on how strategic planning provides an understanding of where the company is today, and its direction for the future.

In addition, we'll explore strategic decision making at each stage of the organizational life cycle, and how various types of ratio analysis can guide those decisions.

We'll complete this course with a discussion of how HR supports the organizational budgeting process, a key strategic planning activity, by providing important human capital data.

In topic one, the Strategic Planning Process and the Role of HR, you'll identify key stages in the strategic planning process, look at examples of activities from each stage, and gain a better understanding of the alignment of specific HR actions to the strategic plan.

Organizational structure is a critical factor in a successful organizational strategy.

In topic two, Organizational Life Cycle and Structure, you'll gain a better understanding of the key characteristics associated with each stage of the organizational life cycle and identify various elements of the organizational structures.

For a cost-benefit analysis to provide the most useful information, most or all of the relevant cost and benefit should be quantifiable using a common unit of measurement.

In topic three, Cost-benefit Analysis and Life Cycle Planning, I'll explain how HR can conduct simple cost-benefit analysis. And calculate return on investment, and break-even point.

Ensure that the department's budget is aligned with the organization's strategy. In topic four, Budgetary Planning and HR Information, HR's role in supporting the organization-wide budgeting process is discussed.

That’s it! Now, go ahead and push that “Take this course” button and see you on the inside!