Workforce planning and development is a management technique used to effectively manage workforce demand and supply. It is the process used to align the needs of a business with those of its workforce.

An effective workforce plan is a continuous process of shaping the workforce to ensure that it is capable of delivering Council's objectives now and in the future. The plan aims to provide Council with the people best able to inform its strategic direction, develop innovative approaches to complex issues and deliver appropriate services consistently, effectively and efficiently.

For the process to be truly effective, workforce planning needs to be recognised as a business-driven process, which is a fundamental component of the integrated planning and reporting framework.