How To Increase Software Team Productivity With Staff Augmentation

Staff augmentation allows businesses extend their team with highly skilled remote developers on a contract basis. As a popular alternative to traditional hiring that usually takes around 66 days (as for developers), staff augmentation services provide companies with access to top talent, increased scalability, and cost-effective solutions. 

In this article, we will explain the staff augmentation meaning and explore how to boost team productivity with staff augmentation model. So keep on reading!

What is staff augmentation?

Staff augmentation is a business strategy that involves supplementing an organization’s existing workforce with temporary workers. This approach enables companies to adjust their staffing levels to meet fluctuating demands, bring in specialized skills for short-term projects, or fill temporary gaps in the workforce without the commitment of hiring permanent employees.

What do you need to know about staff augmentation?

In this section, we will answer the most frequently asked questions related to the IT staff augmentation model.  

• How is productivity with staff augmentation a model to extend your team?

Staff augmentation enhances productivity by quickly filling skill gaps, providing specialized expertise, and addressing fluctuating workloads. It enables companies to expand or contract their workforce as needed, ensuring that they maintain optimal staffing levels without overworking existing staff.

• What are the benefits of productivity with staff augmentation?

Benefits include increased flexibility, cost savings, faster onboarding, reduced hiring risks, and access to a wider pool of talent (freelancing is considered as one of top sources for staff augmentation talent, and only in the US 34% percent of workers are engaged in freelancing). 

• What is the difference between staff augmentation and managed services?

Staff augmentation focuses on providing temporary or contract workers, while managed services involve project outsourcing the responsibility for managing specific tasks or functions to a third-party provider. Managed services typically include ongoing management, support, and optimization of these tasks or functions.

• What is staff augmentation in consulting?

Staff augmentation in consulting refers to hiring temporary or contract workers with specific expertise to supplement a consulting firm’s workforce, typically for specialized or short-term projects. This allows consulting companies to access the skills needed to serve their clients effectively without hiring full-time employees.

• Who uses staff augmentation?

Organizations across various industries use resource augmentation, including IT, engineering, healthcare, finance, and consulting, among others. It is particularly helpful for businesses experiencing rapid growth, working on short-term projects, or dealing with seasonal fluctuations.

• What is the difference between staff augmentation and consulting?

Staff augmentation involves hiring temporary workers to supplement an organization’s workforce, while consulting refers to providing expert advice or services to clients on specific business challenges or projects. Staff augmentation is a business strategy used by various companies, including consulting firms.

• What is a managed services model?

A managed services model involves outsourcing the responsibility for managing specific tasks or functions to a third-party provider. This includes ongoing management, support, and optimization of these tasks, allowing the organization to focus on its core competencies.

• How much does staff augmentation cost?

Staff augmentation costs can vary depending on factors such as the required skills, location, duration of the contract, staff augmentation company rates, and market demand. Costs are generally lower than hiring full-time employees due to the absence of benefits and long-term commitments.

• What is the future of staff augmentation services?

In a market intelligence company SpendEdge report, it’s forecasted that the global staff augmentation services market will grow at a 3.53% CAGR between 2021 and 2025, reaching a total incremental spend of $81.87 billion.

The future of staff augmentation services is likely to be influenced by advancements in technology, the increasing demand for specialized skills, and the growing acceptance of remote work. The trend towards a more flexible, on-demand workforce is expected to continue, as organizations increasingly recognize the benefits of staff augmentation in addressing their evolving staffing needs.

Top 8 ways to increase software team productivity with staff augmentation

Here are the top ways to increase productivity with staff augmentation:

1. Define clear goals and objectives 

Setting clear goals and objectives provides your software team with a roadmap to follow, ensuring that every member knows their responsibilities and how their work contributes to the project’s success. When using staff augmentation, it is particularly important to align the goals of the augmented team members with those of your in-house team. Create detailed project plans and milestone checklists, so that the entire team can stay on track and maintain high productivity levels.

2. Effective communication

To foster effective communication, it’s important to create an open and inclusive atmosphere. Establish clear communication protocols, designate points of contact, and encourage regular check-ins to address questions, concerns, or project updates. Utilize tools such as email, instant messaging, and video conferencing to keep communication lines open and make information accessible to all team members. Promoting a culture of transparency will enable your augmented team members to be more productive and help prevent misunderstandings or delays.

3. Ensure cultural alignment

Cultural alignment can make a significant difference in team productivity. When staff augmentation is used, there may be differences in work culture, values, and communication styles. Invest time in understanding the cultural backgrounds of your augmented team members and introduce them to your company’s work culture. Encourage team-building activities and social events to help create a cohesive and motivated team.

4. Invest in onboarding and training

A structured onboarding process will help your augmented team members acclimate to their new roles and responsibilities quickly. During onboarding, share crucial information about the company, project goals, technologies used, team structure, and company policies. Ongoing training will enable your team members to upskill and stay current with industry advancements, ensuring a higher level of productivity.

5. Monitor performance and provide feedback

Regular performance evaluations are essential for maintaining productivity levels. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and measure progress against project goals. Provide regular, constructive feedback to your augmented team members, recognizing achievements and addressing areas for improvement. Regular feedback can help prevent issues from escalating and ensure that your team is focused on achieving its goals.

6. Use the right tools and technologies

Leveraging appropriate tools and technologies is key to enhancing team productivity. These may include project management tools like Asana or Trello, version control systems like Git, or communication platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams. Equip your team with the resources necessary to collaborate effectively, manage workloads, and stay organized. This can lead to increased efficiency, improved communication, and reduced errors.

7. Encourage collaboration

Fostering a collaborative environment allows team members to leverage each other’s strengths and knowledge, leading to better results. Encourage brainstorming sessions, code reviews, and cross-functional collaboration to drive innovation and problem-solving. This not only improves productivity but also helps in the growth and development of your augmented team members.

8. Create a flexible work environment

A flexible work environment accommodates individual work styles, preferences, and personal commitments. By offering remote work options, flexible schedules, or adjustable work hours, you can support work-life balance and promote a sense of trust and autonomy. This can result in higher job satisfaction, increased motivation, and ultimately, enhanced productivity for your entire development team.

In conclusion

Staff augmentation is one of the innovative and cost-effective solutions for extending your team. It enables businesses to hire dedicated teams of remote developers. By implementing the strategies discussed in this article, companies can maximize the productivity of their IT staffing, ultimately leading to the successful completion of software development projects.