Planning in 2026: what will change — and how teams can stay in control

Workforce planning is changing — and fast. 

Flexible work, evolving regulations, digital tools and ongoing staff shortages are reshaping how teams are planned across Europe. Looking ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: planning will need to be more flexible, more connected and more reliable than ever. 

Here’s what planners and managers can realistically expect — and how to prepare. 

1. Flexibility will increase, but planning won’t get easier 

Across Europe, labour rules and work models are evolving to better reflect how people actually work. Fixed schedules are making room for more flexible arrangements, especially in sectors with fluctuating demand. 

In practice, this means: 

• more varied schedules 
• more exceptions 
• more last-minute changes 

Flexibility can be a strength — but only if planning remains clear and structured. 

2. Planning and time registration will need to work together

Digital time and presence registration is becoming more common across Europe. Belgium’s Check In and Out at Work is one example of this broader shift. 

By 2026, many teams will need: 

• better alignment between planned and worked hours 
• less manual correction afterwards 
• clearer insight into actual presence on site 

When planning and registration don’t match, extra admin and confusion follow. 

3. Data will play a bigger role in planning decisions 

Planning will rely less on gut feeling and more on insight. 

Teams will increasingly want to understand: 

• when peak periods really occur 
• which shifts are hardest to fill 
• where planning breaks down 

Using past data helps planners prepare ahead of time, instead of constantly reacting under pressure. 

4. Clear planning will matter more for people, not just processes

Employee expectations continue to rise. Even in flexible jobs, people expect: 

• clarity about when they work 
• timely communication 
• fewer surprises 

Unclear planning doesn’t just create stress — it affects engagement, trust and retention. 

Good planning supports both teams and managers. 

5. Planning tools will become essential 

All these changes point in the same direction: planning is no longer just an administrative task. 

By 2026, teams will need tools that: 

• adapt quickly when things change 
• bring planning, communication and registration together 
• provide real-time overview across teams and locations 

Tools like CrewPlanner help teams stay flexible without losing control — even as complexity grows. 

Looking ahead

The future of work isn’t about more complexity. 
It’s about handling change better. 

Teams that invest in clear, flexible planning today will be better prepared for what 2026 brings. 

Want to see how teams prepare for the future of planning with CrewPlanner? Book a free demo and we’ll walk you through it.