What Is Staff Augmentation : Unlocking the Benefits of Resource and Staff Augmentation Talent for Your Business

 

Are you struggling to meet the demands of your business while trying to build your startup or side project? It can be challenging to juggle multiple responsibilities, especially when you lack the time and resources to handle everything. That’s where team augmentation or staff augmentation solutions can help.

Staff augmentation model is a flexible outsourcing approach that enables you to hire remote professionals on a temporary or on a more long-term basis to supplement your in- house team. This approach provides a cost-effective and efficient way to address any skills gaps and enhance productivity. Also instead of hiring a full-time employee, you can leverage the benefits of adding a temporary resource to your team through staff augmentation services.

At Axiom Pro, we understand that selecting the right outsourcing model is crucial for your business. Many co-founders struggle to determine which approach suits their needs best. Our experience has shown that staff augmentation talent can be an excellent option for those looking to build a product quickly and effectively.

Whether you require additional developers, designers, or project managers, remote employees from a reputable staff augmentation vendor can provide the expertise you need to achieve your business goals. With this approach, you can scale your team up or down as needed, without the hassle of recruiting and training new employees.

If you’re looking for a flexible and efficient way to manage your workload, consider staff augmentation talent as a viable solution. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of staff augmentation and when it works best for your business. So, let’s dive right in and explore those powerful staff augmentation services and solution.

 

 

What Is Staff Augmentation: Main Purpose

This flexible outsourcing strategy involves hiring skilled professionals from an external provider on a contractual basis for a short period of time. By doing so, you can quickly find a team that can compensate for the lack of skills and knowledge within your team.

The composition of the augmented team is typically based on the project’s requirements and the team’s skill set. Moreover, the outsourcing team can manage and coordinate the team, enabling you to focus on other business concerns.

Purpose of Team Augmentation 

The main purpose of team augmentation is to enhance your team’s capabilities and productivity. You can tailor the augmented staff to meet the specific requirements of your project and the skillset of your team. Additionally, outsourcing the management and coordination of this kind of remote team to an augmentation vendor saves you time to focus on other business issues.

By choosing a staff augmentation model, you can avoid HR and administrative employment issues. The augmentation vendor takes care of all these matters, allowing you to concentrate on your core business activities. Don’t let a shortage of skilled resources hold back your business growth – consider staff augmentation today.

 

Staff Augmentation: Definition and Functioning

To be truly successful, a business must have the proper resources and talent at its disposal. Unfortunately, an organization may lack the talent needed to reach its goals. That is when resource and staff augmentation can come in useful. Here is a closer look at how it works.

 

A Step-by-Step explanation of staff augmentation process:

1. Determine Your Needs and Requirements 

   The first step is to identify the project requirements and skills needed for your project. At Axiom Pro, we closely communicate with our clients during pre-sale calls and all the way through staff augmentation service provision to ensure that we fully understand their needs. This allows us to find the right experts for the job.

    

2. Source the Right Talents for team augmentation

   Choosing the right staff augmentation vendor is crucial to ensure that your workers are equipped to handle the task at hand. Not all staff augmentation firms are created equal. It is important to choose one that properly vets their workers and has a proven track record of success.
   

3. On-board your Remote Team

   Once you have selected your team, it is important to clearly define all roles and responsibilities. This ensures that everyone understands their part in the project and that it stays on track. Creating a cohesive team environment by encouraging feedback and questions is also essential.

4. Provide Ongoing Support for augmented teams

   To ensure that your project is completed to your specifications and deadlines, ongoing support is crucial. Even the most talented workforce needs guidance from an expert leader. By providing continuous support, you can ensure that your staff augmentation services deliver the desired results.

    

5. Expand Your Remote Team as Needed

   As your project progresses, you may find that you need to expand your team or hire additional experts. Staff augmentation services allow you to quickly recruit the necessary staff without having to go through a lengthy recruitment process.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your augmentation process is successful and provides the resources and expertise you need to achieve your goals.

 

 

Various Types of Staff Augmentation Services Your Company Can Adopt

 

Resource and Staff augmentation Services have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more organizations seek to optimize their workforce and streamline their operations. Whether you need additional resources to complete a specific project or require extra staff to support your in-house team, staff augmentation can be an effective solution. There are several different types of staff augmentation services available :

1. Traditional staffing providers are one option. These providers offer a range of temporary staffing solutions, from entry-level workers to highly skilled professionals. They typically work on a contingency basis, charging a fee based on the number of hours worked or the amount of work completed.
2. Master Vendor Staffing Providers are another option. These providers serve as the primary point of contact for all staffing requests, managing multiple staff augmentation vendors to ensure that you receive the best talent at the best price.
3. Specialized/Boutique Staffing and Consulting Firms provide specialized staffing services for niche markets, such as IT, engineering, or healthcare. They offer a deep understanding of their industry and can provide highly skilled professionals in a short period of time.
4. Gig platforms and on-demand talent platforms are popular choices for organizations looking for a flexible workforce. These platforms allow you to connect with freelancers and independent contractors who can provide specific skills on a project-by-project basis.
5. An on-demand talent platform is a service that connects companies with skilled professionals on a short-term or project-based outsource, providing immediate access to pre-vetted talent and allowing for greater hiring flexibility.
6. Direct independent relationships are another option. This cooperation model involves building long-term relationships with independent contractors who can provide ongoing support to your organization. This can be a cost-effective way to build a team of highly skilled professionals without the overheads of a traditional in-house staff.

 

 Types of Staff augmentation: Comparative table 

 

	Description	Types of talent	Best for	Strengths	Challenges
Traditional staffing providers	Conventional suppliers of temporary workforce.	Skill-Based Commodity	Basic projects don’t need high skills.	Flexibility	Difficult to locate top-notch talent with exceptional skills.
Master Vendor Staffing Providers	Comprehensive staffing initiatives managed by a sole vendor.	Commodity	Cheap and scalable labor for standard tasks.	Low-cost Scale	The quality of talent can be erratic due to high commoditization.
Specialized/ Boutique Staffing and Consulting Firms	Boutique agencies or companies that concentrate on hiring expert and specialized talent.	Skill-Based Highly-Skilled	Specialized skills require skilled talent.	Quality	It typically comes with a significant cost and overhead.
Gig platforms	Web-based portals that offer immediate connectivity with freelance professionals.	Commodity Skill-Based	Simple tasks need basic skills.	Speed Flexibility	Distinguishing between candidates in vast marketplaces can be hard, talent is often dispersed geographically .
On-demand talent platform	Internet-based platforms that grant access to carefully chosen, highly qualified professionals.	Highly-Skilled	Quickly deploy skilled talent.	Speed Flexibilit Quality	Talent is often dispersed geographically (remote).
Direct independent relationships	Self-employed service providers directly hired by the company.	Skill-Based Highly-Skilled	Use known professionals for needs.	Quality Low Overhead	Finding dependable individuals is tough, hard to sustain an active relationship.

 

When selecting a staff augmentation type, it is important to consider your organization’s specific needs and requirements. Each cooperation model has its advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right one will depend on your budget, timeline, and long-term goals.

 

Choosing the Right Resource and Staff augmentation Model

Most organizations use a mix of providers, depending on their needs. When considering staff augmentation it’s essential to determine what you are trying to accomplish and what is most important. For example, if you need an expert in machine learning, prioritizing cost may be unrealistic. Similarly, if you need 100 people to do a task that can be easily trained, you won’t want to hire based on a high level of skill.

Working with a contingent worker or in-house team  can also impact your cooperation model. Contingent workers offer more flexibility and can be a better option for short-term projects, while in-house staff can offer more stability and a better cultural fit.

Choosing the right staff augmentation model is critical to the success of your project. Weighing the pros and cons of each arrangement before selecting one can help you make a more informed decision. With the right cooperation model, you can achieve your business goals, build your team and stay ahead of the competition.

 

What Is the Cost of Staff Augmentation

Staff augmentation costs can vary greatly depending on the location and the skillset required. The hourly rate for staff augmentation can range from $15 to $150 per hour. The cost of recruiting and interviewing staff can also add to the overall cost.

When comparing staff prices in different countries, it’s important to consider the cost of living and the skill level of the candidates. For example, countries like India and the Philippines have lower hourly rates due to their lower cost of living, while countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have higher hourly rates due to their higher cost of living.

To hire the best talents for their needs, businesses should focus on finding the right balance between the skill level and hourly rate of the candidates. Businesses can use online job boards, recruitment agencies, and social media platforms to source candidates for staff augmentation. Additionally, businesses can interview candidates via video conferencing software and assess their skills and qualifications. At Axiom Pro we do that for you in advance, so you don’t have to worry about candidate quality when choosing qualified staff from our talent pool.

In conclusion, staff augmentation can be a cost-effective way for businesses to expand their team, without committing to a long-term contract. The hourly rate, recruitment cost, and skill level of the candidates are essential factors to consider when comparing staff prices in different countries. Businesses should evaluate their needs and budget and compare the rates and skill level of candidates from different countries to find the right staff augmentation solution for their business. 

Advantages and disadvantages of staff augmentation

Benefits of Team Augmentation

Staff augmentation can provide numerous benefits to your business.

Increased Productivity

By hiring developers through staff augmentation vendors, you can boost your team’s productivity. These developers work exclusively on your project and become a dedicated part of your team, paying close attention to the project details and treating it as their own.

Security of Intellectual Property Rights

As the augmented team begins to work on your project, you retain complete control over its development. Additionally, your augmented team members must follow your company’s policies as outlined in the contract terms.

Cost Savings

By using a staff augmentation model, you can save on expenses such as office rent, social benefits, and equipment purchases. This means that with lower expenses, you can hire more specialists who meet your specific requirements.

 

Drawbacks of Team Augmentation

While staff augmentation is an effective way to expand your team or launch a new project, it has its limitations.


Challenging Onboarding

To achieve a quick and high-quality result that meets your standards, you need professionals who understand the staff augmentation process as well as your company’s processes, mission, and vision. However, if your goal is to build a minimum viable product (MVP), a lengthy onboarding process may not be possible. This can lead to emotional burnout for your augmented team.

Lack of Motivation

Working as part of an augmented team may be demotivating for some members. Full-time employees can count on specific bonuses such as salary raises, social benefits, or bonus payments from their company, which the augmented team may not have access to. However, these risks can be mitigated by setting up effective communication and processes with your remote team.

When Is It Appropriate to Utilize Staff Augmentation Services?

Staff augmentation can be a useful tool for boosting productivity. However, it may not be the optimal approach for all circumstances. Below are some scenarios where staff augmentation services can be beneficial:

Launching a Side Project

Assuming you already have a local team handling your project, and your business is well-established with extensive resources. Suddenly, you conceive a new idea and decide to launch a side project. However, you face a shortage of specialized skills in your local talent pool. In this case, staff augmentation service can help you acquire new talents with the required expertise from external markets and integrate them into your team.

Outsourcing Model Incompatible

The typical outsourcing model involves a remote team that operates independently and handles specific tasks. Such a team is like an isolated entity, and communication with them may be limited. In contrast, staff augmentation is about integrating a remote team as an extension of your in-house team. If you prefer close collaboration with your remote team and direct daily communication, then staff augmentation can be a suitable option.

Short-Term Projects

Staff augmentation is well-suited for short-term projects where you need to complete a specific amount of work within a tight schedule. For example, when you need to start additional projects or when your local team is unavailable for a particular part of the work.

Need for Quick Launch

Certain businesses opt for team augmentation to shorten the time-to-market period, develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) within tight deadlines, or launch a startup with a user-focused solution. This approach can also benefit series A+ startups who need to show quick results to investors, grow fast, and refine their product based on user feedback and changing market conditions. With staff augmentation, you can access additional resources to handle development work and scale up or down the team as needed. Additionally, staff augmentation can help you meet deadlines and reduce development costs.

 

 

Assessing Staff Augmentation VS Other Outsourcing Models

Staff augmentation vs outsourcing

In general, when it comes to expanding your team, you have two options: staff augmentation and outsourcing. Staff augmentation means hiring additional staff to work with your existing team, while project outsourcing involves contracting an external company to complete a specific project.

Staff augmentation gives you more control over the hiring process and team management, while outsourcing can be more cost-effective for short-term projects with specialized skills. However, staff augmentation allows for better collaboration and knowledge transfer, while outsourcing teams may work remotely, making communication and collaboration more difficult. Now, let’s examine the distinctions between staff augmentation and various outsourcing models more closely.

 

Staff augmentation vs dedicated team.

A dedicated team is a group of professionals hired specifically for a particular project. This team works exclusively on your project until completion. While a dedicated team provides greater focus on your project, staff augmentation offers more flexibility in terms of the size and duration of the team.

 

Staff augmentation vs Project-based outsourcing.

Unlike staff augmentation, project-based outsourcing is more focused on delivering a specific project or set of projects rather than just providing additional staff. This model may involve a fixed price or a time and materials-based contract.  

 

Staff Augmentation vs Dedicated Development Center (DDC).

In a DDC model, the outsourcing company provides a dedicated team of professionals who work exclusively on the client’s project. This model is similar to staff augmentation in that it involves adding staff to the client’s in-house team. However, in a DDC model, the outsourcing company manages and oversees the team.

 

Staff Augmentation vs Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT).

The BOT model is different from staff augmentation in that it involves the outsourcing company building a team and infrastructure specifically for the client. The outsourcing company then operates the team and infrastructure for a specified period before transferring the entire operation to the client. This model is more focused on long-term strategic goals rather than just adding staff to an existing team.

 

Staff Augmentation vs  Managed Services.

In a managed services model, the outsourcing company takes complete responsibility for managing a specific business function for the client. This is different from staff augmentation in that it involves outsourcing a complete business function rather than just adding staff to an existing team.

Staff Augmentation  vs Cloud-based outsourcing.

Cloud-based outsourcing is different from staff augmentation in that it involves outsourcing IT infrastructure rather than just adding staff. In this model, the outsourcing company provides software, hardware, and other IT infrastructure through the cloud to the client, eliminating the need for the client to maintain its own infrastructure.

 

Overall, while staff augmentation involves adding staff to the client’s in-house team, the other outsourcing models focus on specific projects, functions, or infrastructure. Each model has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of model will depend on the specific needs and goals of the client. 

Tips for Selecting the Suitable Staff Augmentation Partner

Choosing the right staff augmentation partner can be a daunting task for businesses. It is essential to select a partner who can provide the right talent and support to meet the business needs before recruiting. Here are the five main criteria to consider when choosing a staff augmentation partner:

1. Expertise and Experience: Look for a partner who has expertise in your industry and has experience in providing staff augmentation services. This will ensure that they understand your business needs and can provide skilled resources to meet your requirements and cover your skill gap.
2. Quality of Talent: Ensure that the partner has a robust screening process and can provide top-quality talent that meets your specific needs. Look for a partner who is an expert in providing a diverse pool of talent with various skills and experience levels.
3. Flexibility and Scalability: Choose a partner who can offer flexible and scalable solutions to meet your changing business needs. They should be able to adapt quickly and provide resources as and when required.
4. Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration are crucial for the success of staff augmentation projects. Ensure that the partner uses transparent communication and augmentation processes and is easy to work with.
5. Cost-Effective: Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing a staff augmentation partner. Look for a partner who can provide high-quality talent at a reasonable cost and can offer flexible pricing models.

By considering these five main criteria, you can choose the right staff augmentation partner that can help your business achieve its goals and grow.

Why Axiom?

• Stellar reputation in outstaffing with years of delivering top-notch services to startups and established companies.
• Access to a diverse and skilled workforce that goes through rigorous screening.
• Cost-effective with up to 50% savings on employee costs and reduced administrative burden.
• Flexibility in workforce management and a time-saving recruitment process.
• Reduces risks associated with hiring and firing employees and has local expertise in understanding cultural barriers.
• Led by a highly-skilled team with experience in various industries and takes a user-centric approach to work.
• Provides fast, high-quality candidates.

Normally the standard hiring process takes up to 41 days, but with Axiom Pro you can shorten it up to 7 days. Also You can easily swap any specialist that you hired through us for free, and we won’t charge you any extra fees. And additionally, you can ask us to find an extra specialist for any kind of position you have opened at the moment, and we’ll be happy to help.

 

FAQ

What is meant by staff augmentation?

Staff augmentation is the process of hiring skilled professionals on a temporary basis to supplement the existing workforce of a company.

 

How does the staff augmentation process work?

The staff augmentation process involves identifying the required skills, finding suitable professionals through staffing agencies, interviewing and selecting candidates, and integrating them into the company’s existing team.

 

Why do companies use staff augmentation?

Companies use staff augmentation to quickly fill skill gaps, manage workload fluctuations, reduce recruitment costs, and increase workforce flexibility.

 

What are the different types of staff augmentation?

The different types of staff augmentation include staff augmentation, project-based staff augmentation, and team-based staff augmentation.

When should you choose staff augmentation?

You should choose staff augmentation when you need to quickly fill skill gaps, scale up or down your workforce, or reduce recruitment costs.

 

How do you succeed in staff augmentation?

To succeed in staff augmentation, you should communicate clearly with the staffing agency and the augmented staff, define roles and responsibilities, and integrate the augmented staff into your team.

 

How much does staff augmentation cost?

The cost of staff augmentation varies depending on factors such as location, experience, and demand. Typically, it involves paying a fee to the staffing agency and the augmented staff’s hourly or monthly rate.