Trend Projection as a workforce planning technique is characterized by?

• A. Relying on random changes to staffing levels.
• B. Forecasting future staffing solely from budgetary limits.
• C. The analysis of past workforce data to project future staffing needs.
• D. Using only external labor market forecasts.

Answer: (C)

Trend projection uses historical workforce data to forecast future staffing needs. By examining past trends in headcount, hires, separations, turnover, promotions, and retirements, you extend those patterns into the future to form a baseline forecast. This approach rests on the idea that what happened in the past will continue in a similar way unless there’s a change in circumstances, making internal data the driving factor for the projection. It’s a simple, data-driven way to plan for staffing needs without assuming random fluctuations, budget-only limits, or external market conditions; those latter factors can be considered separately or layered in as scenarios. So, the technique is best described as analyzing past workforce data to project future staffing needs.