Creating and implementing projects in an organization is a task that has become commonplace in the workplace. The truth is that this option has numerous advantages, not only in terms of increasing productivity, but also, and most importantly, in terms of business results. However, while project management is critical to reducing the risks of failure and controlling all steps involved, as well as ensuring the quality of results, it is not always an easy task. The solution may be efficient project management through resource optimization and the use of an Agile methodology. Large projects like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify have already chosen this option.

Agile project management entails a set of methodologies for project development that take special agility and flexibility into account throughout the process. Agile methodologies are based on a flexible approach, with team members updating specific products in small stages and small groups. Following that, each update is tested in accordance with the needs of the customer. Overall, the final product of an agile project may be different from what was originally envisioned.

Challenges of IT team management

And the truth is that there is no way to guarantee that it will be simple to manage IT projects and, within them, manage their own teams in order to achieve the best results. Even the most seasoned professionals face challenges, but the good news is that they have already learned how to overcome them. The person in charge of managing the teams should be a professional who follows the evolution of technology at all times and is familiar with all available resources. To maintain business competitiveness, he must understand (and apply) technologies such as cloud computing, big data, data mining, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and others.

However, the challenges of managing IT teams extend beyond that, focusing on the need to promote good and effective communication among team members as well as between them and the customer. Questions about the project's progress, results, and deadlines must be addressed clearly to all parties involved.

Other considerations for effective team management are less practical and more bureaucratic, but equally or more important. We are discussing available budgets, the hiring of new elements, and the management of vocational training, all of which must be considered at all times and can cause additional problems in the event of failure.

The different types of teams

- In-house

- Outsource 

- A mix of the two

When it comes to project management, these questions are almost certainly going to be asked more than once. It is not always easy to decide what to do or which path to take. In the following lines, we will highlight some of the main benefits and drawbacks of each of them:

In-house

They are professionals who know the company well and are fully integrated into their culture, and they truly understand your organization's unique needs. It's also important to know that you're working with someone you've known for a while, so there will be fewer surprises. On the other hand, it gives you more control over your data, which is especially useful in industries with strict regulations, such as finance and healthcare.

The major challenge in this case is to ensure that these professionals can go above and beyond what is requested and the established deadline, that is, to go above and beyond the routine without allowing the requirements to become an impediment to a more strategic vision of the business and the project.

Outsource

External teams draw attention to the fact that these professionals lack the same in-depth knowledge of the company as those who work internally. There is an obligation to work during the period in which you become acquainted with the business rules. However, the benefits are obvious with the external team bringing a new one onto the project that is currently being developed. Working on a variety of projects broadens your professional experience and broadens the range of possible solutions to problems that may arise.

You also don't have to pay the expenses of full-time employees, such as benefits, health insurance, hiring and onboarding, and so on; you don't have to worry about building a strong internal IT team because the outsourcer handles it all.

Mixed

Mixed teams can appear to be the best solution because they combine the best of both worlds into a single working group. But there are some considerations to be made here as well, even though ensuring such diverse points of view, knowledge exchange, and better time management are all advantages to consider.

Team integration

Regardless of which approach is chosen, excellent team integration is unquestionably one of the most crucial methods. Collaboration is the first thing to consider when it comes to integration. Even while technical solutions can meet these objectives, technology has encouraged these skills in recent years, and collaborative settings bring benefits such as synergy, cost optimization, performance enhancement, increased agility, and expertise in business operations.

Integrating the different teams also makes their work more strategic, reinforces the increase in competitiveness, and remains critical to the project's success.

Have you decided where you want to go?

Keep in mind the organization's interests, its growth strategy, the goals set, and, of course, the project itself when weighing the benefits of each option.

We're talking about business here, so the outcome should be positive. Boost IT is the ideal partner to accompany you on this exciting journey, regardless of which option you select.