Evaluating Productivity in your IT Department
IT is a peculiar vertical in that it seems narrow to those who aren’t in it, but to those who work in IT, it’s an enormous sector comprising very different tasks. Similarly, establishing productivity guidelines and improving productivity are necessary in IT, as in any other vertical. However, due to the vast array of different roles, this can be difficult. Here are a few tips that can help in any IT role.
1. Examine the systematic approach. Start from the end, work back to the beginning. What’s the end goal? How can your business cut out or merge a few steps to speed up the process? Most managers initially like to think that their process is as efficient and effective as possible, but there’s almost always something that can be altered for more efficiency, and efficiency equals increased productivity. The Information Technology Infrastructure library (ITIL) is a great resource with established process and efficiency standards.
2. What are common bottlenecks? Use trouble tickets to identify “repeat issues” or find one or two tasks that hold everything up, consider devoting more resources, or determine an alternative. Find ways to eliminate the bottleneck. If it cannot be eliminated for whatever reason, ensure that it flows as freely as possible to alleviate some stress.
3. Look with new eyes. Rear Admiral Grace Hopper said “The most dangerous phrase in the language is ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” (Admiral Hopper helped to develop early computers and the COBOL language, among other engineering feats.) Brainstorm new ways of performing the same task. Evaluate what’s working, what isn’t and how to fundamentally change the system, in part or all.
4. Embrace change. Change brings (some) risk, but effectively managing change can bring about remarkable advances in processes or systems, and implementing new systems is what sets apart mediocre IT teams from great ones. IT is the most rapidly changing and evolving vertical in the world, and your team can contribute to this change – unless you’re risk aversive.
There isn’t any singular action guaranteed to increase your ROI, maximize productivity, and minimize cost of operations. It requires several in conjunction, and very effective leadership. However, it also requires the top talent.
At CultureFit, our expertise is understanding a business’s vision, and recruiting elite IT talent who shares that vision. We work with a wide variety of candidates and a network of talent to ensure your candidates will have the necessary technical skills, but also have the same cultural fit, which decreases turnover and ensures maximum long-term satisfaction. Contact us today to see how we can help your business grow.
