A global outsourcing survey by Deloitte revealed that 52% of executives outsourced business functions and 76% of them indicated that IT functions were outsourced. Among these, IT, data and analytics, app development, and cybersecurity departments used external services the most. These statistics show the fact that outsourcing has become a regular practice by all major industries to meet a variety of business objectives, utilizing minimum resources and bringing out the maximum outcome.
What could be the reason behind it?
Well, a study by Bloomberg shows that nearly 54% of companies across the globe experience shortage of talent. And, strikingly, in 36 out of 44 countries, HR heads experience difficulty in attracting skilled professionals to specific teams. And outsourcing doesn’t always provide the right solution a company seeks. One may pay the defined price for a web development or app management project but the quality of the work may not match the company’s reputation.
This is where staff augmentation turns out to be essential, especially for IT services.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the need for choosing IT staff augmentation and the benefits you can expect out of it.
What is IT Staff Augmentation?
IT staff augmentation allows a company to hire tech talents from around the world and boost productivity even with time and budget limitations. How? As opposed to the outsourcing model, IT staff augmentation doesn’t mean getting the job done at a fixed price. It means, getting a dedicated professional for the specific jobs at fixed hourly rates.
Let’s make it simpler. Suppose you need to develop an app for which you perhaps need five to six developers and two to three designers. But you have only one on your team. The whole process of hiring these many tech professionals will take time, and the app launch program will get postponed.
With IT staffing augmentation, you can now handle the project properly and finish on time. The best IT staffing augmentation service providers will provide you with as many talents as you need within a few days. Once the project is delivered, you’ll not be responsible to discontinue their service. Engaging and disengaging the talents in separate projects is the responsibility of IT staffing augmentation service providers. So, precisely, it is a process of expanding the in-house team having dedicated specialists on a contract with the service provider and without any liabilities for maintaining employee contracts.
When to opt for IT staffing augmentation service?
IT staff augmentation is a strategic choice that can be beneficial in various scenarios. Consider the following situations:
1. Scaling Up for Seasonal Workload Surges
During peak seasons or when you have a sudden surge in workload, augmenting your IT staff allows you to meet increased demands without straining your existing team. Whether it's handling a holiday rush for an e-commerce platform or supporting a temporary project with tight deadlines, staff augmentation provides the flexibility to scale up quickly and efficiently.
2. Accessing Niche Skill Sets
By opting for IT staff augmentation, you can tap into a vast talent pool and gain access to professionals with niche skill sets. Whether it's artificial intelligence, cloud computing, or blockchain development, augmenting your team ensures you have the right people with the right skills to drive success.
3. Accelerating Innovation and Digital Transformation
IT staff augmentation can play a pivotal role in accelerating innovation and driving digital transformation initiatives. By augmenting your team with experts in emerging technologies like machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), or cybersecurity, you can bring fresh perspectives and expertise to your projects. These specialists can help your organization explore new possibilities, implement cutting-edge solutions, and stay ahead of the curve.
4. Managing Short-Term IT Initiatives or Crisis Situations
Certain situations may arise where your organization needs immediate assistance to manage short-term IT initiatives or overcome critical challenges. IT staff augmentation provides a lifeline in such cases, allowing you to swiftly assemble a team of experienced professionals to address specific requirements. From mitigating a cybersecurity breach to recovering from a system failure, or executing a time-sensitive project, staff augmentation offers the agility and expertise to handle these critical situations effectively.
Why Opt for IT Staff Augmentation: Benefits
1. Cost Efficiency
IT staff augmentation offers a cost-effective solution compared to traditional hiring processes. Instead of bearing the expenses associated with full-time employees, such as salaries, benefits, and training, you can engage IT professionals on a temporary basis. This allows you to optimize your budget and allocate resources more efficiently, paying only for the expertise and duration required for your projects.
2. Flexibility and Agility
Business needs can evolve rapidly, and IT staff augmentation provides the agility to adapt to changing circumstances. Expanding or downsizing your team, no matter what the need is, IT staff augmentation allows you to quickly scale your workforce based on project requirements. This flexibility ensures that you have the right resources at the right time, minimizing delays and maximizing productivity.
3. Knowledge Transfer and Skill Development
By collaborating with augmented staff who bring specialized expertise, your internal team can learn from their experience and gain new skills. This knowledge transfer enhances the capabilities of your in-house IT professionals, fostering growth and enabling them to take on more complex projects in the future.
4. Reduced Recruitment Burden
Recruiting and hiring full-time IT professionals can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. IT staff augmentation alleviates this burden by providing access to a pool of pre-vetted professionals who are readily available for project-specific needs. Instead of spending valuable time and effort on recruitment, you can focus on core business operations while relying on the expertise of augmented staff to fulfill your IT requirements.
5. Enhanced Risk Management
Augmented professionals often bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience, which can help identify potential risks and develop effective mitigation strategies. Their expertise in implementing best practices and adhering to industry standards ensures that your projects are executed with a focus on quality, compliance, and risk reduction.
Parting Words
By strategically leveraging IT staff augmentation, businesses can overcome challenges, accelerate project delivery, and achieve their objectives with ease. Remember to carefully consider when to opt for staff augmentation, understand the benefits it brings, and implement the provided pro tips to maximize success.
With the right approach, IT staff augmentation can be a valuable tool in driving your business forward.
