Partnering With HR To Overcome IT Staffing Challenges

By Andy Doyle, Point B

Any staffing strategy requires collaboration and the support of your HR team. While it’s common to include HR in staffing discussions, especially around hiring and adjustments, the focus tends to be on tactical requirements rather than mid- to long-term strategy. In some cases, the relationship between IT (and other departments for that matter) and HR can be dysfunctional.

Because technology moves fast, IT job descriptions and market salary comparisons can quickly become outdated. HR departments that benchmark salaries may experience mismatches in job descriptions and titles or salaries that no longer match the needs of the IT organization.

One example is the increasing roles in cloud services that enterprises need to build and maintain. Cloud architects are difficult to find, and quality candidates demand high salaries. Most cloud roles are so new and evolve so quickly that HR organizations relying on benchmarks often struggle in searching and supporting the wages of these roles. Current roles often lack the industry job descriptions or salary benchmarks that are helpful to HR. While these issues are complex, a strong partnership with your HR team will help ensure that your IT staffing goals and strategy aligns with corporate guidelines.

Ensure Your Structure Supports Your Team

Over the last 20 years, organizations shifted from broad knowledge into more siloed technology departments. However, organizations that are focused on the breadth of knowledge and increasing technological complexities may consider alternative organizational models. In doing so, here are a few tips to consider:

• Reduce silos and require broader knowledge from most staff members.
• Ensure that project teams are built on long-term project delivery instead of on a per project basis.
• Establish technology delivery teams.
• Consolidate infrastructure, application development and support organizations focused on a subset of the overall IT application suite.
• Find your own mix to meet the requirements of your company’s objectives based on size, complexity, and technology solutions.
• Ensure leadership is open to making changes that meet those technological requirements.

Recruiting quality IT talent is always a challenge and getting tougher. Working with your HR team as your strategic partner will bring value to your entire organization as the HR team can play a critical role in recruiting the right IT talent.

About The Author

Andy Doyle is a principal with Point B, an integrated management consulting, venture investment, and real estate development firm. With over 20 years of experience in technology leadership, Andy has successfully led large-scale efforts in data center migrations, IT infrastructure architecture definition, IT infrastructure project execution, and technology operations. He has deep expertise in project management, analysis and developing strategic plans for clients in the telecommunications, financial services, health care, technology, and professional services industries.