IT Staff Augmentation: Vetted tech talent on-demand

Finding, attracting and onboarding new talent is hard. This is particularly the case in the technology sector, where job offers abound (by the way, we're hiring!) and highly skilled workers have the privilege of being as selective as they want about where to work.

This insufficient supply and extremely high demand for IT workers is especially challenging for companies that need to quickly expand their teams.

One strategy that has become increasingly popular to address this is IT staff augmentation, also known as Team Augmentation.

What is IT Staff Augmentation?

IT staff augmentation is the practice of hiring external IT professionals to supplement an organisation’s tech workforce on a temporary or project basis.

Companies that hire this service will usually pay only the agreed-upon fee, with no additional administrative costs, for the duration of the contract.

The company providing this service will be in charge of ensuring a good fit between the professionals and the clients, dealing with all the paperwork, HR management, salary payments etc.

Finally, the professionals involved will be leased out and incorporated into the client’s team, following their internal processes and company culture, while contributing with their specialised knowledge, skills, and experience.

What’s the difference between IT Staff Augmentation and IT Outsourcing?

The main difference lies in the level of involvement businesses have in the IT processes and workforce.

IT Staff Augmentation involves bringing in external professionals on a temporary or project basis to complement the existing IT team. The augmented staff work inside the client company, collaborating directly with the in-house team, under the organisation's direct supervision and management. This approach allows companies to maintain their processes under a consistent work culture, while flexibly scaling resources.

On the other hand, IT Outsourcing involves hiring a company to develop projects independently. In this model, the outsourcing company takes on the responsibility of delivering the agreed-upon solutions, and in doing so, the cooperation ends. Outsourcing is focused on results and allows leveraging different areas of expertise that the company looking to outsource work may not need or want inside their team.

What are the benefits of IT staff augmentation services?

• Immediate access to specialised skills and expertise. IT staff augmentation companies usually have a wide variety of professionals on standby, as well as connections in the industry that allow for the onboarding of vetted talent much quicker than starting a hiring process from scratch.
• Cost-effectiveness. Leveraging staff augmentation services can be a very effective way to reduce personnel and HR costs. Sourcing, screening, hiring, and training new talent requires significant investments, which are entirely offloaded to the contractor. Additional savings come from avoiding costs related to benefits, paid time off, sick days, and other expenses associated with full-time employees.
• Flexibility and scalability. This model allows the client company to easily adjust its headcount, or the engagement duration of each worker, based on its evolving needs. Whether it's quickly expanding the team after a surge in demand, or downsizing after project completion, IT staff augmentation allows businesses to adapt swiftly without being hindered by restrictive, long-lasting commitments.
• Driving innovation. External experts bring with them fresh perspectives, different experiences, new technologies, and innovative ideas that can help businesses stay competitive and relevant. By fostering a culture of innovation, companies can create a dynamic and forward-thinking environment that encourages creativity, growth and success.

What are the downsides of IT staff augmentation services?

• Cultural integration and team dynamics. When bringing in external professionals, there may be challenges in integrating individuals from different backgrounds and work cultures. Existing employees might also feel disturbed or threatened by the sudden inflow of highly qualified colleagues if that process is not properly coordinated by the managers.
• Communication and coordination challenges. Managing a blended team comprising in-house and augmented staff, especially when communicating asynchronously and across vastly different timezones, can lead to misunderstandings, delays in project execution, and internal conflicts. Ensuring clear communication, expectations and processes across the entire team is key!
• Confidentiality risks. Sharing strategic information and intellectual property with workers from outside the organisation can raise concerns about data security and confidentiality. Therefore, this risk is not exclusive to Staff Augmentation, as it is also present when dealing with external contractors. However, this risk can be mitigated with the proper agreements and protocols, such as NDAs. Regardless of that, it is highly recommended to perform due diligence and look for reviews from previous clients to find out if confidentiality is a concern when dealing with any external parties.

When should you choose IT staff augmentation?

In general, this will be a good choice for you if you need highly skilled and/or specialised workers, for a limited time or until a specific project is completed, and you need the flexibility to increase or decrease headcount on short notice.

It is also a great fit for organisations that are aware of the costs related to recruiting tech talent and don’t have the resources to do this properly (e.g. technical interviews, assessment of tech expertise etc).

Here are some use cases which are particularly well-suited for IT staff augmentation:

• Complex challenges that require a high level of expertise in very specific skills
• Projects with schedule risks that could require additional resources to meet deadlines
• Complex code bases with legacy elements that could require additional resources to address tech debt
• Skill gaps in the IT department
• Uncertainty about the required tech resources
• Lack of proper expertise and resources in the HR department for proper technical recruitment

How to implement IT Staff Augmentation in your company

If you came this far in the article and decided that IT staff augmentation is a good fit for you, that’s great! Now you need to know how to properly implement it in your company to ensure a smooth transition and avoid the potential downsides we mentioned earlier.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Have a clear understanding of why you need it

Begin by defining the roles and skill sets that you need. Identify the goals you aim to achieve and the skill gaps you wish to fill. The idea here is to start from a very clear view of what you expect from this investment. Be as specific and detailed as possible!

Step 2: Determine the budget, scope and duration

Now that you understand why you need IT staff augmentation, it’s time to think about the more practical issues of time, money, and effort allocation.

• Do you have a fixed budget for this service, or is it flexible according to the potential outcomes?
• Is your need short-term, long-term, or continuous for an indefinite period?
• Will the augmented staff be working on a specific project, or play a more general support role in the team?

All of these are important factors that the contractor needs to know in order to give you an accurate proposal.

Step 3: Choose the right provider

This step is critical. Consider the company’s portfolio, its services, its reputation, client reviews (Clutch is great for this), the company’s culture, and the range of skills they can offer. Reach out to previous clients and conduct thorough evaluations before making a decision.

Of course, it is also at this stage that you will evaluate each proposal and see which ones best fit your budget and expectations. You don’t want any surprises down the road!

Step 4: Prepare the in-house team

The augmented staff won’t work in a vacuum – it’s important to make sure that all colleagues and stakeholders are prepared to welcome them into the team, and work together efficiently. Communicate to the in-house team why the company decided to invest in staff augmentation as opposed to expanding the team through traditional hiring, what the additional staff will do, what will change and what will stay the same.

Step 5: Onboarding and integration into your company

While onboarding augmented IT staff will normally be faster and easier than with a traditional hiring model, it is still necessary. Provide access to all necessary resources, tools, and documentation to ensure that the new team members have everything they need to achieve their goals.

More often than not, augmented staff will be fully remote. In such cases, having effective communication channels is indispensable. Leverage messaging, video conferencing, and other online collaboration tools to facilitate information sharing.

Step 6: Monitor performance and provide feedback

This step applies to the client as well as the contractor. Both companies should regularly monitor the performance of augmented IT staff and provide constructive feedback. This ensures continuous improvement and alignment with project objectives.

Evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of IT staff augmentation is essential for making data-driven decisions and maximising its positive impacts on your business. Consider factors such as cost savings, project timelines, productivity gains, and customer satisfaction.

Overcoming Common Misconceptions

Despite the benefits, there are common misconceptions and myths surrounding IT staff augmentation. Addressing these can help organisations make informed decisions:

• IT staff augmentation is not outsourcing; it is a strategic collaboration to enhance capabilities.
• Augmented staff are not replacements; they work alongside the existing team to supplement skills and accelerate operations.
• IT staff augmentation does not compromise data security; proper protocols and agreements ensure confidentiality.

By dispelling these misconceptions, organisations can embrace IT staff augmentation as a powerful tool for maximising efficiency and productivity.

Wrapping up

IT staff augmentation can be a great strategy for businesses to enhance their operational efficiency and productivity.

By leveraging external expertise, organisations can access specialised skills, address resource gaps, and foster innovation.

To ensure a successful implementation of IT staff augmentation service, companies must choose the right provider and address potential challenges. Regular evaluation of ROI, legal compliance, and performance monitoring are essential for long-term success.

If all of this makes sense to you, it’s time to embrace IT staff augmentation as a strategic solution to unlock your organisation's full potential!