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Phase 4 - Implement Strategies

Implement the plan! The basis of the plan, as well as its elements, should be communicated to all staff. Include why and how it was developed, how it will be applied, and the impact it will have on staff and the organization. Follow the action and communication plans below to ensure measureable progress will be made on each strategy.

Purpose

This phase ensures the analysis and strategies developed in previous phases are put into measureable action.

Deliverable

A coordinated and measureable effort to carry out and support the strategies of the workforce plan.

Steps to Accomplish the Deliverable

  1. Follow the action plan and evaluate progress.

  2. Establish governance to ensure accountability and success.​

  3. Provide training to all parties identified in the action plan regarding their roles. Supply tools and resources needed to successfully carry out their responsibilities.

  4. Develop a communication plan to ensure timely and appropriate communication for bringing awareness to the workforce plan, sharing progress with leadership, employees and other stakeholders, and maintaining engagement and support for the plan's strategies.

Tools to Assist with Steps

All Steps:

Step 2: 

Detailed Information to Assist with Steps

Key Terms

Governance - The establishment of a governing body within an organization whose members have influence on authority, decision-making, and accountability.

Step 1: Ensure Successful Implementation

  • Closely follow the action plan developed in Phase 3 Step 6
  • Develop and follow a communication plan
  • Track progress by developing a project plan based on the action plan
  • Gain support by bringing awareness to the availability of the workforce plan
  • Maintain executive support by sharing progress
  • Follow change management best practices to ensure buy-in
  • Involve your change agents very early on in the process
  • Ensure that stakeholders are aware and informed of each milestone
  • Report all successes regardless of size
  • Provide feedback to all levels of the organization regarding their involvement in the workforce planning effort

Step 2: Establish Governance

Governance helps ensure:

  • Implementation success
  • Continued maintenance of the workforce plan activities
  • Enterprise-wide focus
  • Collaboration across divisions/program areas

Establish governance by:

  • Utilizing a current structure, such as a:
    • Strategic Governance/Executive Council
    • Steering or Action Committee
    • Project Management Office
  • Creating new structure
  • Ensuring the right sized structure to best fit your organization and plan

Refer to the Governance Charter Sample Template PDF ​​ as an example of a documented structure.

Step 4: Establish A Communication Plan

Develop a communication plan to bring​ awareness to the existence of your organization's workforce plan. Increased awareness can increase support for your workforce planning efforts. Keep in mind that you may need to also develop a communication plan for each strategy included in your workforce plan. Communication plans should include:

  • Goal of the message - Align to the desired outcome
  • Overview of the message - Key points of the message to include the ‘What’s In It For Me’ (WIIFM)
  • Communication method(s) - Face-to-face, email, poster, flyer, video clip, etc.
    • Ensure communication methods provide the opportunity for two-way communication
  • Responsible party - The individual who develops the communication may not be the most appropriate person to deliver the communication.  Ensure employees are receiving the communication from a  valued source, such as their direct manager/supervisor.
  • Audience(s) - Identify all pertinent audiences who will be receiving the message
  • Target date(s)  - And/or milestones of when the communication is to occur
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