Modelling multi-level Markov manpower systems

Abstract Markov manpower planning models have extensively been analyzed in the past in order to find an optimal personnel strategy for which the manpower system evolves towards desirable stocks. So far, those models do not take into account interactions among different organizational decision levels. In this paper, a multi-level manpower planning model is presented that considers, besides the desirable stock vector at overall level, proposals for the departmental stocks from lower organizational levels. Attainability of the stock vectors at departmental level is examined under control by recruitment and interdepartmental transitions. Moreover, an algorithm is presented in order to find stock vectors that are attainable as well as acceptable and for which the discrepancy with the proposed stock vector is minimized. Finally, a multi-criteria algorithm is described to determine an optimal recruitment strategy resulting in attainable and acceptable stocks that are a compromise between the proposals from the top and the departments.