Your outsourced IT team is falling short on expertise. How will you ensure project success?

In my roles as CTO and VP of Engineering, assessing skill gaps has been critical for project success. For example, at HUK SONS, when we encountered expertise gaps in our DevOps team, I initiated a comprehensive skills assessment. This involved reviewing project deliverables, conducting technical interviews, and soliciting feedback from team leads. By identifying specific areas where the team lacked proficiency, we could create a focused action plan to address these gaps, whether through additional training or strategic recruitment.

Clear expectations are the foundation of successful project management. At Innovate Limited, we faced challenges with an outsourced development team that didn't meet our initial performance standards. We responded by revisiting and refining our service level agreements (SLAs) to set precise deliverables, quality benchmarks, and timelines. This realignment ensured that all parties were on the same page and understood the critical objectives and deadlines.

Investing in tailored training programs can significantly enhance your team’s capabilities. During my tenure at Regal Computers, we developed a series of targeted training sessions focused on emerging technologies and critical skills gaps. These included workshops on AWS and Azure platforms and hands-on sessions with new DevOps tools. By upskilling our team, we not only improved their technical expertise but also boosted their confidence and productivity.

Effective communication is vital for any project's success, especially when working with outsourced teams. At Cement Compressor, we established regular check-ins and used collaborative tools like Slack and Zoom to maintain an open line of communication. This approach ensured that any issues were promptly addressed, and project updates were clearly communicated. Encouraging open dialogue and feedback helped build a strong, cohesive team despite the geographical and cultural distances.

Bringing in external expertise can be a strategic move to complement your existing team. At BOSS LAPTOPS, when we faced a knowledge gap in implementing a complex AI-driven system, we partnered with a specialized consultancy firm. This partnership provided the necessary expertise to drive the project forward and also offered valuable learning opportunities for our internal team. It's important to view this as an enhancement, not a replacement of your current team.

Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure that your project stays on track. Using project management tools like Jira and Trello, I’ve consistently tracked milestones and deliverables. For instance, at Innovate Limited, we set up dashboards to monitor real-time progress and quickly identify any deviations from the plan. This proactive approach enabled us to make timely adjustments and keep the project aligned with our goals.