The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is opening a new chapter in its digital transformation with the Anaplan workforce planning solution. By adopting the Anaplan platform, the humanitarian organisation has significantly improved its responsiveness, collaboration and ability to rapidly deploy qualified personnel where needs are most urgent.
Anticipating workforce needs in times of crisis
Present in more than 90 countries, the ICRC employs around 18,000 people whose skills must be mobilised according to often changing contexts. “Our mission is to protect and assist populations affected by conflict and violence,” explains Vincent Gremion, Global Workforce Planning Manager at the ICRC.
But when humanitarian emergencies require rapid responses, it is essential to anticipate staff availability, future needs and the skills required. Until recently, these tasks were managed using Excel files and manual processes, which were too slow and siloed for such a dynamic environment.
From a manual model to intelligent planning
The ICRC had already adopted Anaplan for its financial processes in 2018. Building on this success, it extended the platform’s use to operational workforce planning in 2022. The objective: automate workforce tracking, forecast departures and optimise internal mobility.
“Anaplan enables us to automatically match our employees’ profiles with available positions,” Gremion explains. “What used to take hours can now be done in just a few minutes.”
According to Anaplan, teams can now work with the same data in real time, while complying with the ICRC’s security standards. The organisation therefore has a comprehensive, consistent and secure view of its workforce.
Long-term planning to save more lives
Implementing Anaplan workforce planning has made it possible to extend the planning horizon to four years — a first for the organisation. This forward-looking approach helps the ICRC anticipate skills shortages and prepare more effectively for emergency situations.
“For the first time, we are planning our workforce needs several years in advance,” Gremion notes. “This enables us to act before difficulties arise.”
Greater agility in the service of people
By making planning smoother and more collaborative, the ICRC is gaining agility and responsiveness. HR teams can respond more quickly to needs in the field, while managers benefit from clear visibility of available resources.
According to the organisation, this modernisation directly contributes to its mission: protecting lives and responding more effectively to humanitarian crises. Looking ahead, the ICRC is already considering extending Anaplan’s capabilities to other areas, such as finance or logistics.
“There is a real appetite for continuous improvement,” Gremion concludes. “Anaplan helps us bring financial planning, workforce management and overall strategy closer together in the service of populations.”
source: anaplan.com
