IT staff augmentation is a relatively new concept. It’s been around for a while, but it’s just getting its peak yet. This advance in staffing allows businesses to have access to a larger pool of individuals. It means a more skilled workforce without incurring the cost and time to train new employees. You can get the staff you need without compromising quality or service.
So what exactly is IT staff augmentation?
In short, it’s the augmentation of in-house IT staff along with external team personnel. This can be done in a number of ways. The most common approach is to outsource IT staff to another company or to use independent contractors.
IT staff augmentation is a strategy to make your team more efficient. It increases productivity and improves its overall performance. In this article, we have listed the pros and cons of IT staff augmentation. This is to help you decide if it is the right solution for your start-up business.
PROS
Increased Efficiency
It can help increase the efficiency and flexibility of an organization in a number of ways. One of these is by providing access to skilled resources that may not be available internally. This can help systems keep up with changing technologies and business demands.
Team augmentation also allows organizations to focus on their internal resources. They can focus on high-level strategic tasks that are more difficult to outsource. This can help your business remain competitive in the market. It allows you to be nimble and responsive.
Reduced Costs
Staff augmentation can be a cost-effective solution for startup businesses. When a company employs its own in-house IT team, it has to incur various additional costs such as employee benefits, office space, and equipment. On the other hand, opting for staff augmentation services can save costs for your company.
Most independent contractors are willing to work on an as-needed basis. In addition, these people have their own working stations in their homes. For these reasons, staff augmentation is an attractive option for startup businesses.
Increase Productivity
IT staff augmentation can help start-up businesses increase their productivity. It can speed up the completion of a project by having extra hands on deck. This is because your business hires extra people to work on a project. It helps take some of the load off your in-house employees. Having extra personnel working on a project allows for more collaboration between individuals in your organization.
Deliver Better Business Results
When a startup hires an external consultant to work on a project for them, it allows the company to focus on other aspects of their business. Your business is still able to successfully complete that project or task at hand. For example, when a startup is working on developing a new product, it might need to hire an external consultant. This is to help out with the development process. On the other hand, the other team can focus on their marketing efforts.
Augmenting IT staff is a highly debated topic. Some see it as a valuable way to get the best employees, while others think it’s an unnecessary waste of resources. We have discussed the pros to give you a better judgment. Below are a few of the cons that you must consider.
CONS
Culture Adaptation
Hiring an outsider can be difficult because it requires a lot of time to get them up to speed and acclimated with the company culture. It is also difficult to find someone who is a perfect fit for your company, especially if you are hiring for a niche role that requires specific skills. They need to be able to fit in with the existing team and culture.
Expensive
While some companies hire contractors on a per-hour basis, others offer full-time positions that come with benefits and other perks. Either way, augmenting IT staff will cost money that could otherwise be spent elsewhere within the business.
You have to factor in the cost of recruiting, training, and onboarding, as well as the salary of the augmented. And if you’re working with an agency, there will be additional fees to pay.
In-House Staff Dependency
There’s also the risk that your IT staff will become reliant on the augmentation company, and less capable of working independently. This can lead to a loss of knowledge and skills within your team, which can be hard to recover from.
Additionally, if you do decide to go with an augmentation company, be sure to do your research. Make sure you understand the terms of the agreement, and that you’re comfortable with the level of control they will have over your systems. Ask for references, and talk to other companies who have used their services.
Key Takeaways
Despite these potential drawbacks, staff augmentation can be a great way to improve your organization’s IT capabilities. It allows you to tap into a larger pool of talent. You can get the skills and expertise you need without having to invest in training or development.
Additionally, staff augmentation can help you respond quickly to changes in your business environment or IT needs. If you are considering staff augmentation for your organization, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully to ensure it is the right decision for you.