When you’re facing a big IT project, you may find that what makes the project daunting is a skills shortage. Deciding whether to turn the whole project over to an IT outsourcing provider or to use staff augmentation can allow you to fill open positions and move a project forward.
The biggest difference between IT outsourcing and staff augmentation is the level of control you retain over the team and the project. With outsourcing, your purchase is a specific outcome and you will share the risks with the provider. When you use staff augmentation, you retain control over the project and the team.
IT staff augmentation allows the organization to use additional talent as needed, while still managing a team directly. Here are some benefits your organization might appreciate:
Addressing Gaps
Using staff augmentation can be the best way to hire based on what your organization needs. It allows you to expand your team, adding tech talent from a global pool of candidates that may have specific skills that add what you need for a short- or long-term project.
Cutting Costs
Staff augmentation allows you to pay for only what your organization needs. You can hire temporary workers for the amount of time you need them.
Saving Time
Save your managers time: from job posting to interviewing, sorting candidates’ paperwork, and checking references, hiring is a time-intensive task. When you use staff augmentation, you’re only paying for what you need, as long as you need it.
Maintaining Control
A major advantage of staff augmentation is the ability to maintain complete control over your project and your team. When using IT outsourcing, you are handing your project over. While you will make every effort to communicate the goals and style you are wanting, only a team inside your organization and under your control will work completely within your parameters and with your company culture as the backdrop. You’ll have control over who is leading and what is being prioritized in the timeline.
Creating a Successful Process
In order to be successful, staff augmentation may be necessary for your upcoming project. Here are the steps you’ll pursue:
Determine the Need
You’ll start by outlining your goals to create teams that have the skills and creativity to complete your project on time and within the budget.
Choose Your Talent Source
Be sure to select a company that sufficiently vets their talent, so that the team you choose will be able to complete your project.
Gather Your Team
It’s important to clearly define all roles and responsibilities, eliminating confusion about the roles each member plays and how the project will progress on time. Allow opportunities for questions and offer feedback in an effort to create a good team environment.
Provide Support
You’re not finished once you select your team: you’ll need to continue to provide support and guide them through the process.
If you’ve got an upcoming project and are considering staff augmentation to complete your team, contact us at Proper Connections. We can help guide you through the process of filling talent gaps and ensure your project is on target in terms of both timeline and budget.