Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Business
Lesson Topic: the reasons for and role of a workforce plan
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe why a workforce plan is essential for aligning staffing with strategic business goals.
  • Explain the main functions of a workforce plan, including demand forecasting and skill‑gap analysis.
  • Analyse the six‑step workforce‑planning cycle and its contribution to effective HR management.
  • Apply the planning cycle to a brief case study to propose recruitment, training or redeployment actions.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • PowerPoint slides summarising the planning steps
  • Printed handout of the workforce‑planning table
  • Case‑study worksheet for group work
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Sticky notes for exit tickets
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “What would happen if a company suddenly lost half its skilled staff?” Use responses to highlight the need for proactive planning. Briefly recap previous lessons on strategic objectives, then state that today’s success criteria are to identify why a workforce plan matters and to outline its key steps.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5’) – Students list three real‑world examples of staffing crises; share a few.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Present the purpose of a workforce plan and the seven key reasons (aligning strategy, anticipating shortages, budgeting, etc.).
  3. Guided walk‑through (12’) – Using the projected slide, step through the six‑step planning cycle, linking each activity to its outcome.
  4. Group activity (15’) – In pairs, analyse a short case study and fill out a simplified planning table (demand, supply, gaps, actions).
  5. Check for understanding (5’) – Each group shares one gap they identified; teacher confirms accuracy.
  6. Plenary (8’) – Summarise benefits, answer questions, and set the exit‑ticket prompt.
Conclusion:
Recap the six steps of workforce planning and how they connect strategy to daily HR actions. Students complete an exit ticket on a sticky note: “One thing I will remember about why a workforce plan is needed.” Assign homework to research a recent news story where poor workforce planning caused a business problem and prepare a one‑page summary.