Gives the background to human resource planning (HRP) and argues that HRP tools are still an essential management requirement. Looks, therefore, to HRP tools that are not so mathematically complex as to be of little use to the average practitioner. Provides an approach which harnesses modern spreadsheet technology to implement the previously esoteric tools of analysis ‐ “holonic modelling”. Holonic modelling recognizes that computer power and the flexibility of software packages allow problems to be structured in a flexible manner. Goes on to demonstrate the use of holonic modelling in the context of HRP.
