IT Service Model – Staff Augmentation vs. Outsourcing vs. Hybrid Approach

IT teams are going way beyond to meet precision and laser focus through IT service model. In the process of development, a dedicated IT team acts beyond meeting deadlines. The primary development work model which supports staff and meets specific requirements can be done through staff augmentation, outsourcing or a hybrid approach.

Let’s compare each model’s advantages and features and list, which is the most beneficial for project development and employees.

Do you know what’s the secret formula to ace up IT projects? Well, it is the timely delivery of the product, with detailed specifications and budget. This sounds attractive! But there are three models available for project execution

• Staff Augmentation
• Project Outsourcing
• Hybrid Model

Since forever, companies are struggling between the combinations of three. Reason being once you are up with a project while following one model, you suddenly discover another model’s usability. And this goes on.

Learn about the three most important IT models and choose the best one for your business wisely.

Staff augmentation: cost-effective and flexible

This technique helps reduce and add staff based on the skills and support required during the development process. It reduces the extra cost associated with hiring full-time employees.

Staff augmentation quickly helps you fill the skill gap. To leverage both external and internal resources, you also need additional skill sets. When you need to manage resources carefully, staff augmentation works as a great option to keep control over staff. Through this IT model, it is easier to integrate with internal processes and align with external teams.

For successful project management, assess skills available in-house and also additional skills required. Staff augmentation proves as a common solution as it is inexpensive and efficient.

A company can provide needed assistance to business through a temporary employee. If your IT department is lacking a specific skill set in staff, then augmenting your staff by adding a temporary specialist will make your team more strong and efficient. With different stages comes various challenges and thus, as per project progress and needs, you can add and remove new staff.

Hiring a full-time employee is expensive and comes with many legal issues. Staff augmentation is often preferred as it allows everyone to reach a deadline quickly and enhance productivity. Instead of training an entire team just place an experienced person to ensure a seamless workflow.

Advantages of staff augmentation

• Cost-effective
• Lean staff
• Zero resistance to work pressure
• Helps the team learns from the best
• Managing task becomes easier

Outsourcing: Separate team for focused goal

In the IT industry, 288 billion has been spent on outsourcing globally. The main focus of IT workers and management is on how to do work in the best way. The outsourced employees take the responsibilities of new staff and project development. The outsourced employee or provider takes full charge of training, maintaining contract and result orientation.

The company meets the outsourcer demand regarding team and requirement. As per need, the staff changes on the request of IT management. Before hiring an outsourcer, so check he/she is reliable, have a proven track record of building products and responsible for a productive team.

Advantages of outsourcing

• Goodbye to training cost
• No additional overhead management cost
• Significant in case of large projects< /li>
• Shared risk

Hybrid approach – Combined benefits of staff augmentation and outsourcing

Change is inevitable in the world of technology and gadgets. Changes are happening at a very rapid pace. To cure internal issues at the time of development phase companies are often benefitted.

Different stages of development calls for different requirements. As the project moves to the final stage, it calls for staff augmentation or specialist for help. In another phase best-outsourced team is welcomed to work separately towards one goal. This keeps both the internal and outsourced team focused and helped them does not loose track.

Advantages of Hybrid approach

• Predictability help structure finance
• Accessibility to vast talent resource
• No hassle for organisational structuring
• Variety of blended pricing models

If you want to select any one out of three models, then you have to look at the bigger picture

• Deadline and goals of the project
• Areas where the internal team should be strengthened
• Outsource staff accommodation to create collaboration instead of competition

Before finalising any one model ask these facts and questions to yourself and reach the right decision while staying as a part of IT management. For IT outsourcing needs and consultation click here.