Understaffing Prevents Implementation of New Technology

May 17, 2010 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Nearly two-thirds (64%) of chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed for a survey by Robert Half Technology said understaffing in their company's IT department interferes with their ability to implement innovative or emerging technologies.

Nearly half (48%) said understaffing interferes at least somewhat with implementing new technology, and 16% reported it interferes significantly, according to a press release.  

“Implementing new technologies companywide often requires substantial staff and unique skill sets that many IT departments don’t have immediately available,” said Dave Willmer, executive director of Robert Half Technology, in the press release.  

Robert Half Technology offers the following tips for companies facing an IT staffing shortage:  

  • Ask for updates. If you aren’t already doing so, ask IT employees to provide workload updates. This will help to ensure their to-do lists are manageable and determine if current tasks can be redistributed, potentially freeing up time for new technologies.
  • Get employees involved. Seek input on ways to better manage workloads and ask staff members to brainstorm creative ways to solve everyday challenges. Having a say in the outcome of a project motivates personnel to do their best work.
  • Take stock of current skills. Do the employees in your department have the necessary skills to implement an emerging technology you’re considering? If not, what skills are needed, and would it be worthwhile to train staff on a new platform?
  • Consider reinforcements. Project professionals are a cost-effective resource to assist companies with heavy workloads and special initiatives and to keep projects on track particularly when full-time workers are doing more with fewer resources.

The survey is based on more than 1,400 telephone interviews with CIOs from a random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees.

«