Why Onboarding May Be Your Problem

 

Think you have a problem going from needs to execution? Check out this disconnect with IT onboarding reported in this survey.

IT Leaders say that onboarding programs are extremely important

• to establishing a new hire's ability to be productive/add value
• to establishing a new hire's level of cohesion within their team
• to finding out a new hire's ability to be successful within the company long term

IT professionals agree with leaders on this.

So the next questions is: what attention has been paid to onboarding programs? An amount of attention that corresponds to "extremely important"?

Apparently not.

Most IT leaders and managers surveyed say that onboarding programs are not a top priority. Evidently they do not even get the attention they deserve. 

Only about 12-13% of IT leaders and professionals rate their onboarding programs as extremely effective.

So chances are when you are a project manager and have to onboard new resources, you will be starting  with an inadequate process. Plan to supplement the program in your project.

• Work with your HR professional to quickly determine what the major gaps are in case you don't already know.
• Rank the gaps and find ways to fill in the critical pieces. Perhaps HR has already been working on solutions or maybe they have examples that you can use.
• Look for helpers elsewhere in the organization who may have ideas. Look into social media to connect newbies with those who can help them integrate.
• Spend more time in early "get to know you" meetings. Use this time to have experienced workers help those who are new to the organization.
• Don't forget contingency employees. Create an appropriate process for getting them productive quickly/

Oh, and do your best to get onboarding moved up the list of organizational priorities. It's difficult to find good people and it would be a waste to delay their integration and disappoint them.