The HR Function

This questionnaire-based diagnostic will provide an overview of the current role, operations and profile of the HR function within the organisation. It is suitable either for distribution within the function to check the understanding of the HR team, or throughout the organisation for a wider picture. The diagnostic should take around 40 minutes to complete, however more time will be needed for the collation and analysis of results.

Designed for the senior team, this diagnostic offers an opportunity to assess the work done so far, and to identify the changes necessary to bring the HR function into full strategic operation. Allow two hours for completion.

This diagnostic gives the senior HR team a chance to think about how the shared services concept could fit their function. Allow one hour for completion.

A completely unrestrictive opinion survey that allows employees the freedom to express the issues that are important to them. Completion time will depend on the needs of your organisation.

This diagnostic is designed with the senior HR team in mind, and allows them to reflect on their existing strategic competencies. Allow 45 minutes for completion.

This exercise is suitable for any HR employee, and is a practical introduction to the differences between the traditional service-based HR function, and HR’s contemporary strategic role. Allow 15 minutes for completion.

This exercise helps the HR team to come to an agreement about how they would like the HR function to be seen within the organisation. The exercise will take around 30 minutes to complete, although some additional preparatory work is needed.

A group exercise for the entire HR function, making use of the appreciative interviewing techniques of the Appreciative Inquiry philosophy. It will aid the creation or revision of a mission statement for the function. Allow 70 minutes for completion.

This exercise can involve the entire HR function, and will provide the senior team with valuable information regarding the understanding of the function’s mission throughout its workforce. Allow 30 minutes for completion.

An exercise for the whole HR team, this will help those whose organisation has a defined mission statement, and who are keen to create an HR mission statement that integrates with these wider organisational aims. Allow one hour for completion.

A straightforward exercise for the senior team, this will enable a review of past action, and provide an opportunity to plan for increasingly strategic HR operations in the future. Allow two hours for completion.

This group exercise, intended for the senior team, is helpful in introducing the topic of HR’s bottom line impact. It allows an overview of HR inputs, and organisational outputs. Allow one hour for completion.

This group exercise will help the senior team to assess the readiness of the organisation as a whole to support a new vision for the HR function. Allow 40 minutes for completion.

This exercise will help the HR team to consider the concept of professionalism, and to make action plans for improving the profile of the HR function through developing a professional attitude and practices. Allow 30 minutes for completion.

This group exercise will help senior HR practitioners within your organisation to revisit their HR policies. It is an opportunity to highlight any concerns with current HR policies. Allow around 1 hour and 10 minutes for completion.

The role of a business partner is notoriously complex, and finding a candidate with the right skills and competencies for this demanding role can be a difficult task. This template introduces the competencies which are most critical for business partners and offers a range of competency based questions to help assess candidates’ skills and experience at interview.

A suggested outline for a senior HR team full day workshop in which the vision for a strategic approach to HR can be created and assessed, and the future actions of the function planned.