HR Glossary: People Strategy Terms and Definitions

Term: Compensation Planning

What Is Compensation Planning?

Compensation planning is the process of designing and managing how employees are paid and rewarded based on their roles, responsibilities, performance, skills, and the organization’s compensation strategy.

It helps organizations establish fair and competitive pay structures while managing compensation costs and supporting employee attraction and retention.

Why Is Compensation Planning Important?

Effective compensation planning can help organizations:

  • Attract and retain qualified employees
  • Maintain competitive and fair pay
  • Align compensation with roles and responsibilities
  • Recognize employee performance and contributions
  • Manage compensation budgets
  • Support employee satisfaction and retention

What Does Compensation Planning Include?

Compensation planning may include:

  • Salary and wage structures
  • Bonuses and incentives
  • Pay adjustments and salary reviews
  • Benefits and total rewards
  • Market and compensation benchmarking
  • Compensation budgets and forecasts