The IT staff augmentation model has been around for quite some time, and it is popular because of the immense benefits it delivers. As most American businesses have tech requirements at some point, augmentation makes more sense than hiring permanent resources. Embracing the model lets you address IT skill gaps just in time and without spending a fortune. Moreover, you need not retain them for the long haul as they are not a part of your in-house team. Staff augmentation is apt for small businesses with budget and time constraints. But you cannot expect it to work without doing your bit. Luckily, getting the best benefits from IT staff augmentation does not require much effort. Follow these tips to make it work for your small business.
Select projects with limited timelines
Staff augmentation is ideal for one-time projects that span over a limited timeline. You can bring additional resources for the short term to work on such projects. For example, you can augment IT resources for creating a website or mobile app for your company or a client. These projects make an ideal fit as you need some skill sets for a short interval. You need not burden your budget with the cost of hiring, training, and retaining team members you may not even require down the line. Your HR team does not have to worry about finding the best resources to work on the project as you can augment them at the earliest.
Pick skill gaps within your organization
Small businesses cannot afford large teams, so skill gaps are always there. The best way to make IT staff augmentation work is by knowing where you lack and addressing that specific area. Dig deeper by evaluating your requirements for existing projects and foreseeing them for your long-term plans. If new projects requiring different skillsets are in the pipeline, you can consider augmentation to bridge the gap. You may only check your options and have a list of upcoming requirements at hand. Just having clarity is enough as you can pick the resources on the fly rather than bring them in and wait for the project to start.
Find the right partner
The success of the model for small businesses also depends on finding the right partner to fulfill your IT requirements on time. Everything boils down to the quality of resources and the cost of hiring them. You can explore Staff Augmentation Companies in locations like Latin America. The best thing about finding an offshore partner from these locations is that you get the best tech talent without spending a fortune. They cost only a fraction of American developers even when you hire them on a contractual basis. Look for a reliable provider with a good reputation and positive reviews, and check their working model and costing as well.
Ensure clear communication
Good communication is the mainstay of the success of IT staff augmentation for small and big businesses. It is an inherent requirement for this business model where outsiders join your in-house team to work on your projects. Seamless communication ensures that your team and the outsourced resources are on the same page, even while working from different locations. There are no information gaps, so there is hardly a chance of errors and wastage of time. You can expect to complete the project at the earliest and get the product you want without worrying about budgets and timelines. Make sure you have the right tools, processes, and protocols to manage communication between everyone working on a project.
Double up on documentation
Code documentation is crucial to software development projects, regardless of the model you choose to develop apps. But it becomes even more crucial when you work with an outsourcing team. Failing to have things in writing can land you in a fix later when the project is complete. You may need to evaluate the code or implement changes down the line, and clear documentation makes it possible. Ensure that you double up on development documentation and convey the expectation to the augmented resources. The process requires continuous maintenance and improvement, so make sure you have everything on paper.
IT staff augmentation makes a perfect fit for small businesses running on tight budgets and timelines. You can have the required resources in your team just in time and without spending a lot on hiring them. But the advantages of this model come only when you leverage it wisely. These simple tips can go a long way in delivering the best for your organization.
