The purpose of the study was to access human resource planning practices and challenges at Ethio Telecom Gambella branch and suggest possible solutions to curb the problems in HRP process of the organization. The descriptive research design was applied to analyses collected data and purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from whole targeted population and also different data gathering instruments were used to collect relevant information from the respondents; interview was prepared and conducted with HR Manager to collect data about HRP linkage with the strategic business plan and to assess the existing HRP practices and challenges. Moreover, there were also questionnaire that were filled by Managers and supervisors to access human resource planning processes, procedures, Gaps and its challenges. The results of the study reveal that most of management staffs did not have in-depth knowledge on human resource planning; the main determinant factors such as skill inventory. job analysis and HRIS weren’t applied satisfactorily and the linkage of HRP with SBP were given less attention. Thus, it is not well practiced by the managements of Ethio Telecom, SHRP was practiced without considering internal and external factors. Based on the findings, a recommendation was provided. Thus, it is recommended that Ethio Telecom should give meticulous attention to create integrative and interactive linkage between the human resource planning process and strategic business planning and HRP plan can only be realized when the right people are at the right times to do the right things, managements should have a clear understanding on human resource planning process, procedure and policy in advance. Human resource division should develop and implement a comprehensive training program for managers on human resource planning process, policy and procedures for its implementation. Managements should have clarified information about human resource planning at beginning of the years by providing an exercise and creating awareness with different means of communication. Ethio Telecom shall be better to give attention and priority fully computerize its human resource information system in such a way that information will be provided in a timely manner to help make human resource decisions. Key Words: Human Resource planning, practice, Challenges, Strategic Human Resource planning, and process

Considered being the first and primary practice of human resource management, human resource planning holds a huge role to play. Theoretical bases of HR planning practices have been investigated in detail in this article. Authors have made an attempt to cover and present comprehensive literature on this important practice of HR. The importance of HR planning, its strategic objectives and factors influencing it are all covered in this literature study. Also, the study covers HR planning frameworks and models and tells the processes to retain and motivate the workforce of the organization.

The growth of every enterprise requires careful planning of its human resources. Such task is challenging but should be undertaken by competent personnel to ensure that operational objectives are achieved. This study seeks to assess the effects of human resource planning in the implementation of operational activities in large scale enterprises. Secondary data was retrieved from published materials in the subject matter and analysis was drawn from available facts which disclosed the assessment of skills and competences of existing work force and development of forecasts for the demand and supply of labour. Also, the relevance of recruitment, selection, training and rewarding employees to stimulate performance and the significance of human resource planning towards the effective implementation of operational activities was also established. This study will enable practising managers and human resource specialists in the planning and management of operational activities.

Management should have suitable planning for all resource in his authority, nevertheless will have problem in estimating need and directing resource. In fact, planning is process that organization has combined all activities and trying for his purpose and his purpose is obtaining to organization result. Therefore planning is framework of management element. According to the role and importance of human resource could have effective role in developing organization. Planning human resource help to organization that ensure from the position of human resource, adding forces, lacking human resource in different parts or in balancing them and be sure that suitable staff in suitable job have in suitable time . Planning management of human resource will help to organization that estimate organization changing relate to his activities to least costs. Human resource planning makes us confident about the existence of unity and cohesion in personal activities. According this, giving a complete ,efficient model that could cover all human resource planning in a good way, is an unpreventable necessity.