The document provides an introduction to human resource planning. It defines human resource planning as anticipating and making provisions for the movement of people into, within and out of an organization. The objectives of HRP are to maintain, forecast, optimize and utilize the right number of people with the right skills at the right time and cost. The key steps in HRP include assessing current human resources, forecasting future needs, matching the inventory with requirements, and managing any forecasted surplus or demand. Managing surplus may involve actions like retrenchment, outplacement, or work sharing while demand can be met through recruitment. The importance of HRP is growing for organizations.