This article will help you to learn about the difference between manpower planning and career planning.

Difference between Manpower Planning and Career Planning

The term ‘manpower planning’ and human resource planning’ are synonymous but manpower planning is different from career planning. Manpower planning is the process by which management determines how an organisation should move from its current manpower position to its desired manpower position. Through planning, management strives to have the right number and the right kinds of people at right places, at the right time to do things which result in both the organisation and the individual receiving the maximum long-range benefit.

As defined by G. Stainer “Manpower planning the strategy for the acquisition, utilisation, improvement, and preservation of an enterprise’s human resources.

It relates to establishing specifications or the quantitative requirements of jobs determining the number of personnel required and developing sources of manpower.” Manpower planning is thus concerned with forecasting the future manpower requirements of organisation.

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A career, on the other hand, is an individual concept. An employee plans his career in any enterprise. A career is defined as a “sequence of work-related experiences in which a person participates during the span of his work life.”

A career can lend order and meaning to events and provide a relationship including work, in which a person is involved. A career is central to complete development of an individual’s identity. It is important for an employee to plan a career, even if the employer provides little guidance or encouragement.

Individual career planning consists of different phases: self-appraisal, information gathering on occupations, goal selection, and planning and implementation.

Every organisation undertakes career development programmes. Career development is a personnel activity which helps individuals plan their future careers within the enterprise, in order to help the enterprise achieve its objectives and the employee achieve maximum self- development.