I wouldn't even squarely place the blame on HR. HR is simply a (soulless) messenger. This is an executive level decision that likely has no basis in longterm strategy but rather financial pressures.

I saw it at the enterprise level during the last layoff hell when thousands were let go at my company. On the ground, there was almost little to no logic to the layoffs because the decisions were made by disconnected execs who sit in bullshit meetings all day.

In fact, it goes both ways. Even when teams are expanded out - a decision made in partnership some absurd headcount planning 3rd party consultants - it's almost as if they never talked to the team, but some exec who is 3-4 layers removed from the actual valuable individual contributors who understand the work, have frustrations and desires and should theoretically have a part in influencing planning decisions.