Did you know that over 50% of businesses now use some form of staff augmentation to bolster their projects and innovate faster? You’ve probably heard that this approach allows you to expand your team dynamically but how does staff augmentation work exactly? In this guide, we’ll explain how this flexible strategy allows businesses to add skilled personnel when and where they are most needed.
Table of Contents
What Is Staff Augmentation?
Staff augmentation is a business strategy that enables companies to hire talent on an as-needed basis from around the globe. Unlike traditional hiring, where you bring on permanent staff with all the associated costs, it allows you to bring in specialists temporarily. This could be
- for a single project,
- during peak workloads,
- or to fill a skill gap within your current team.
The beauty of this approach is its flexibility and scalability. It’s valuable for companies that need to adapt quickly to market demands or project requirements.
How Does Staff Augmentation Work?
To achieve the best results, you should have a clear understanding of how to manage staff augmentation. Here’s a quick breakdown of each step.
Step #1: Analysis
The first step is a thorough analysis of your current team’s capabilities and the project requirements. At this stage, your core task is to set the direction for the type of talent you need to source.
First, consult with project managers and team leaders. They’ll help to map out the specific skills and roles needed. Use project forecasts and past performance data to predict future needs.
Step #2: Talent Sourcing
Once you know what skills are missing, the next step is talent sourcing. This involves finding the right professionals who can fill those specific roles.
The best approach is to partner with a reputable team augmentation provider who has access to a vast talent pool. They can help identify candidates who have the required skills and fit well with your company culture. It’s also useful to consider the geographical and time zone factors that might impact collaboration.
Step #3: Onboarding
When bringing new talent into your team, you should, among all else, ensure they integrate well and contribute effectively. Onboarding should be swift but comprehensive. Prepare a structured onboarding plan that includes orientation with the company’s
- tools,
- processes,
- communication,
- and culture.
Assign mentors or buddies who can help augmented staff acclimate quickly. Make sure all logistical aspects, like access to necessary software and tools, are sorted out before they start.
Step #4: Ongoing Support
Once on board, augmented staff must receive ongoing support to stay productive and motivated. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can help them feel valued and engaged. Ensure there are clear lines of communication and that they can easily access support when needed.
When To Use Staff Augmentation
Now that you know how to do staff augmentation, it’s time to find out when it’s most beneficial.
Specialized Skills Needed For A Particular Project
There are times when a project demands skills that your current team lacks, and these skills might only be necessary for the duration of the project. For instance, if you’re developing a mobile app and need someone with specific experience in augmented reality (AR), employee augmentation allows you to hire an AR specialist quickly.
Time-Sensitive Task
When the clock is ticking, and you need to deliver results fast, staff augmentation can provide the necessary manpower to meet tight deadlines. Consider a situation where your company needs to update its software to comply with new regulations by a set deadline. Bringing in additional developers for a while can double the development power of your project.
Budget Constraints
When budget limitations prevent the hiring of permanent staff, you may opt for augmentation and pay for work on an as-needed basis. For example, let’s say your IT department needs to implement a series of enhancements to your network infrastructure. Augmenting your team with temporary specialists can help you complete the enhancements without a permanent impact on your payroll.
Need Access To Both Skills & Tools
Sometimes, the challenge isn’t just in having the right skills but rather in having access to specific tools or technologies that your current team doesn’t possess. Augmented staff can solve this by bringing in their own licenses and tools, which can be prohibitively expensive or complex to obtain.
Final Thoughts
All in all, staff augmentation is a fast and cost-effective way to hire help. Most importantly, you get exactly the type of help you need and for the time you want it. This is a great solution for time-sensitive tasks and projects with evolving needs.
FAQs
1. How does employee augmentation differ from outsourcing?
It enhances your existing team by adding skilled professionals temporarily, allowing you to maintain control over your projects. In contrast, outsourcing involves delegating entire projects or operations to an external company.
2. Is employee augmentation suitable for long-term projects?
Of course! It can be highly effective for long-term projects, especially those that require specialized skills not present within the existing workforce.
3. Can employee augmentation help with reducing employee turnover?
Yes. It can indirectly help reduce employee turnover by alleviating burnout and overwork among your permanent staff.
