Why are most companies adapting to IT Staff Augmentation trend?

Many a time it happens in the IT industry that companies fall short of right skilled professionals while handling client’s requirements. Hiring the right talent then becomes a tedious task. Companies might already have a team of expert employees but when they have to work on a big budget project under tight deadlines for a new business opportunity, it is not feasible for them to hire full-time employees for short term projects. Enterprises in that case may either augment their existing team with another external team or outsource skills to an able third-party organization.

Most companies prefer staff augmentation over outsourcing as it allows them to accept projects despite of the absence of required application and management standards set by clients. They get the best professionals onboard to achieve desired project goals. IT staff augmentation lets industries employ experts on a short term basis avoiding the need to offer unnecessary perks and benefits.

What exactly is Staff Augmentation?

Staff augmentation is the process to add employees to an in-house development team for dedicated project completion. Companies hire professionals on additional skill sets that are able to provide committed client support. They are made to remain available at client’s discretion. All deadlines and deliverables are set by clients giving them full control of the project outcome.

Most team augmentation companies implement hiring in three methods:

a)For onsite projects, companies assign new employees to clients with no fixed time period. They work from client’s vicinity probably right from their office but at the lodging and transportation expenses of the supplier company.

b)For offshore projects, companies assign new employees for client-specific projects without any rigid working hours. Timings are normally adjusted according to client requirements.

c)Companies adopt the hybrid approach by hiring local team at clients’ proximity for immediate access in case of urgent requirements.  

Why are companies adapting IT Staff Augmentation Services?

It is cost effective. It makes no sense to recruit an employee as full-time staff if his requirement in the company is short termed. With IT staff augmentation, it has become possible for companies to pay only for the skills they require and for the project that needs to be completed. These calculated cost-cutting save both time and money. Many staff augmentation companies today conduct background research and skills testing of candidates required for product development.

It is makes businesses flexible. Companies should be able to easily adapt to the changing requirements of their clients. Staff augmentation make it possible for them to stays ahead of the curve by being able to multiply production whenever required.

It helps to take control. Companies are able to remain in full control of the ongoing project as they are the ones who decides on the team leaders, managers and team members. They remain updated on how the project is progressing and prioritize deliverables accordingly.

It calls for lesser risk. Outsourcing can be risky for companies as they need to quite literally give up control and power to a third party. Staff augmentation on the other hand, allow in-house functioning and assured timely delivery of projects as they attain the power to control everything till the end.

It gives added access to specialized skills. It gives companies the scope to collaborate with talents they lack in their team. Such expertizes come handy to technical recruiters.

It reduces administrative load. Direct-hire employees make it possible for companies to minimize overrated liabilities. Many staff augmentation companies take care of payroll, benefits, training and termination of the recruits dumping the load off in-house managers.

It takes care of IT attrition. 40% of IT professionals in the industry are willing to switch employers. Team Augmentation acts as the final blow to companies’ staffing needs as it helps increase profit without them spending too much.

In a nutshell

Staff augmentation takes care of changes in short term recruitment counterparts allowing companies to stay ahead in the rapidly growing competitive scenario. IT spending is expected to increase dramatically in the next few years. Companies on one hand would not want to invest much time hiring short term candidates but on the other would wish to convert one-time capital expense into project-based operational expense.