Workforce planning ensures that organisations have the right level of staff for their needs, with the necessary skills and capabilities. Getting workforce planning right helps organisations carry out their operations effectively so that they can achieve their objectives and priorities. A lack of robust understanding of future need and not having the right information and data to understand workforce skills and any gaps can undermine strategic planning. Without this planning, departments are often not aware of what skills are available within their own organisation, which may lead to relying on consultants too much, or unnecessarily.41 38 Q 48 39 Qq 45, 47, 53 40 Qq 67-68, 70 41 C&AG’s Report, para 2.3 13