Growth Spurt for Workforce Performance Management Market as the War for Talent Re-Emerges in 2006

IDC: This will be a pivotal year for the workforce performance management (WPM) market as the war for talent, which involves the retention of top performers, becomes a major priority for companies in 2006. The study finds that WPM is the fastest growing segment of the rising talent management market, as sophisticated WPM software and services are now readily available to provide greater alignment of corporate objectives and visibility into both individual and organizational performance. IDC forecasts that worldwide spending for WPM services will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3% during the 2006-2010 forecast period.

All areas of talent management are experiencing growth, and workforce performance management is no exception. The war for talent is re-emerging and firms are recognizing that they are once again competing not only for product superiority, but for a high performing workforce, which is key to competitive advantage. Suppliers are responding with new strategies and offerings to help them win the battle.

IDC offers the following key points for potential buyers of WPM software and services:

• Take advantage of others' best practices, rather than automating a broken or ineffective process

• Build a collective WPM plan with a specific end goal in mind

• Resist the temptation to build a WPM system in-house

• Proactively identify opportunities for WPM within client organizations, as prospective buyers are often not aware that they are in need of WPM systems

• Communicate the value of WPM through targeted messages that set realistic goals and expectations

• Create tangible case studies in order to leverage successful client experiences

worldwide Workforce Performance Management 2006-2010 Forecast Publ 20060308