Did you know that almost 15% of all IT projects fail outright, and a whopping 31% of them do not meet their goals, objectives, or success criteria? Basically, that means almost 50% of all IT projects fall short of expectations, wasting time, money, and effort. These statistics are alarming, but you can safeguard your business by hiring the right talent.
Why are IT projects failing?
One of the main reasons IT projects fail is the lack of skilled and experienced talent in the project team. According to research by McKinsey, there is a critical skills shortage in the IT sector, with over 2.7 million IT experts expected to be needed in the US alone by 2024. Therefore, due to the talent shortage, companies are finding it difficult to locate ideal employees for their IT projects.
In addition, IT projects fail due to poor communication and collaboration between the project team and stakeholders. According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, more than 50% of all IT projects fail due to poor communication. Lack of clear communication and collaboration can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and errors, resulting in project derailment.
How to hire the right talent for IT projects
Hiring the right talent is critical to any IT project. Here is an effective 4-step process to help you find the right talent for your team.
Pro tip: Partner with the right IT Staffing firm that helps you through this often-arduous journey.
1. Define your requirements clearly.
Before you start your hiring process, clearly define your requirements. Make a list of all must-haves vs. desired skills, experience, and qualifications you need for the project. This helps you clearly understand what to look for in your ideal candidate.
2. Look for a winning balance between relevant experience and a positive attitude.
When recruiting talent, don’t only look for candidates with relevant experience in similar projects but also pay keen attention to their attributes like attitude, enthusiasm, and willingness to help. Candidates who possess these special traits are likelier to deliver big on your projects. They will have better capabilities to overcome challenges and pitfalls along the way, thus minimizing the risk of project failure.
3. Hire for team-building potential.
In addition, team-building skills are vital for IT projects. Look for candidates who leverage excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills to build and foster high-performance teams. These highly coveted resources drive the project team towards max potential and resolve issues quickly.
4. Consider diversity and inclusion.
Diversity and inclusion are critical in IT projects. A diverse team brings different perspectives, experiences, and skills to the table, leading to more innovative solutions and better outcomes. Therefore, consider diversity and inclusion in your hiring process when recruiting for IT projects.
How can hiring the right talent help to prevent IT project failure?
Ultimately, hiring the right talent for IT projects significantly reduces the risk of project failure. Here are 4 ways that the right talent can help prevent IT project failure:
Technical expertise
Firstly, the right talent brings technical expertise to the project team, ensuring that the project is delivered to a high standard. They have the magic potion in terms of skills and knowledge to solve complex technical problems and ensure the project exceeds stakeholder expectations.
Instinct and Experience
Next, experienced professionals tend to have better instincts when working on high-risk projects. They know what works and what doesn’t. This unique combination of instinct and experience allows them to anticipate potential issues, mitigate risks, and avoid common pitfalls, reducing the risk of project failure.
Communication and Collaboration
Thirdly, effective communication and collaboration are critical to the success of any project, especially IT projects. The right talent brings excellent communication and collaboration skills to the project team, ensuring that all team members are working together effectively to realize their full potential.
Innovation
Lastly, the right talent brings innovation to the project team, bringing new ideas and fresh perspectives to the project. They are not afraid to challenge the status quo and suggest new ways of doing things, leading to more innovative solutions and better outcomes.
However, shouldn’t come as a surprise that the majority of IT projects’ failures revolve around your capacity to identify and recruit qualified technical people.
In conclusion, you can certainly try to hire great talent on your own, but why not improve your chances further? By partnering with the right IT staffing firm, you will certainly accelerate and realize better business outcomes.
Need the right IT talent? Let Brixton guide you! Schedule a call!
About The Author
Rajiv is an accomplished industry expert with over 20 years of successful experience in IT Sales, Business Development, Organizational leadership, Operations and Delivery. As Brixton’s Chief Sales Officer, Rajiv enjoys serving a multitude of Brixton’s prized customers to realize their business goals.
Ultimately, strongly believes that people are the biggest asset for any enterprise and he is most fulfilled when helping them succeed. In addition, Rajiv’s clients trust and recognize him for his exceptional service, absolute confidentiality and innovative thinking.
About The Brixton Group
Founded in 1998, The Brixton Group Inc. is a values-based, technology staffing and project
solutions company. Basically, our mission is to provide unparalleled service to our clients, consultants, and
colleagues through our focus on long-term satisfaction. For more information, visit
www.brixton.net.
