Specialist skills linked to technology platforms like AWS, Oracle, Microsoft, Google as well as business skills such as experienced Scrum masters, knowledgeable business/systems analysts, data scientists or engaging solution driven architects are tricky and time consuming to find in the first place, and when they leave, knowledge-loss can crush a business when nobody with that skill or knowledge of systems/processes remains.
The full-time staff model in isolation doesn't seem to be working.
The future role of the South African IT manager is about creating strategic partnerships with specialised vendors (who assist as needed) to allow for rapid upscaling or downscaling for business and IT requirements, without having to anchor them down.
How do we know this kind of flexibility is essential for staying relevant? Well, because we have worked deep in the heart of the South African, international Retail and BFSI industries for top blue-chip companies since 2015. We’ve grown with the industry and understand how IT-enablement is evolving.
In the following five points I’m going to share some of the potential stumbling blocks holding you back from the finely-tuned IT division you need but haven’t got yet.
1. Specialist IT skills should be an organic extension of your team
The war on talent is unabated. Highly-skilled people need to be found, but then they don’t always want to be bound and chained to just one project / organization or technology stack for that matter.
Trying to bind these tech butterflies makes them more at risk of resigning before realizing their full potential, and when they leave, they might leave you high and dry.
You need this risk managed better so you don’t get left in the lurch.
2. Going directly to the vendor vs using an independent objective third party that looks after the client's interest.
There is a lack of independent objective advice. Who is keeping an eye on what the customer needs and wants?
Understandably, tech vendors have their own best interests at heart -business is business- but do these align with yours?
3. Budgets and costs are always under pressure, premium value adds are non-negotiable
You need to know what your value adds are. Do you have partners that are selling or promoting products that benefit them but might not be the most cost-effective solutions for you?
How do you mitigate spending more than you should whilst reducing other risks?
4. Approach to delivery - a solution to the “Bermuda” project triangle mystery:
Time, money, quality.
Three things that just disappear. Where does the time, money and quality end up going? When last did a project come in on time, within budget, and exactly the way you wanted it?
Does your partner have enough skin in the game to help you solve the mystery and salvage these three essentials?
5. Rapid evolution requires rapid solutions. Working in a co-development lab is quickest
Innovation within an organisation is infinitely more efficient when it’s done in a symbiotic and collaborative environment. In this instance, several heads really are better than one. If you aren’t innovative fast enough, you’ll be left behind and risk becoming obsolete.
Keen to solve these mysteries, avoid headaches and collaborate with talent that won’t leave you hanging? Be in touch.
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