Question 1

What are staff augmentation services?

Accepted Answer

Staff augmentation services are services that help businesses temporarily expand their workforce by supplying skilled professionals for specific projects or tasks. Such services offer the flexibility to bridge skill gaps, meet deadlines, or scale up operations without the need to hire full-time employees.

Staff augmentation companies provide talent across various models, including skill-based, time-based, offshoring, nearshoring, onshoring, dedicated team augmentation, and hybrid approaches, ensuring businesses get the expertise they need efficiently and cost-effectively.

Question 2

What do staff augmentation companies do?

Accepted Answer

Staff augmentation companies provide businesses with flexible workforce solutions, enabling them to quickly access skilled professionals to meet project demands without the long-term commitment of full-time hires. They streamline talent acquisition and integration while ensuring scalability, efficiency, and alignment with business goals.

Here’s a breakdown of their key services:

Skill-based augmentation
Sourcing professionals with specialized skills to fill gaps in an in-house team, ensuring projects have the necessary expertise to succeed
Time-based augmentation
Providing short-term staff for specific projects or deliverables, allowing businesses to maintain cost control while accessing targeted expertise
Offshoring
Supplying skilled talent from countries with lower labor costs, ideal for reducing expenses while maintaining output quality for remote projects
Nearshoring
Hiring talent from neighboring countries to improve communication and collaboration through shared time zones and cultural similarities
Onshoring
Providing staff within the same country for closer collaboration and enhanced oversight, particularly for on-site or in-office projects
Dedicated team augmentation
Delivering an external team to supplement in-house capabilities, particularly in areas where the existing team lacks capacity or expertise
Hybrid models
Combining multiple augmentation approaches to meet complex project requirements, offering a customized solution for diverse business needs
Integration and onboarding
Embedding augmented professionals into teams and aligning them with processes, tools, and culture while maintaining productivity and team cohesion with minimal disruption to productivity
Support and scalability
Providing ongoing support to adjust staffing levels as project demands evolve to help businesses remain agile and competitive

Question 3

What is the difference between staff augmentation and managed services?

Accepted Answer

The difference between staff augmentation and managed services is the level of responsibility and control over the workforce.

Staff augmentation involves hiring professionals to extend or fill skill gaps in the in-house team for a project, granting the business that enlists the service complete control over the workforce and the tasks they complete. Managed services, on the other hand, involve outsourcing the entire project to another company, which takes full responsibility for managing and executing the project.

Staff augmentation services	Managed services
Allow businesses to temporarily hire the staff that matches the needs of their project, without a long-term commitment	Take complete control over the project
Provide full control in managing and integrating the augmented talent into the team and processes	Allow internal teams to focus on core business operations while they handle all project requirements

Question 4

How much do staff augmentation companies charge for their services?

Accepted Answer

Staff augmentation companies generally charge between $30 and $100 per hour, depending on factors such as the type of expertise required, the complexity of the tasks, and the location of the talent. Other elements influencing the cost may include the duration of the engagement, the number of staff required, skill level, and the augmentation model (e.g., onshore, nearshore, or offshore).

Staff augmentation agencies use several pricing models to cater to various project needs and budget considerations. Common models include:

Hourly rates: Clients pay for the exact number of hours worked by the augmented staff, offering flexibility for short-term or variable workloads
Fixed price: A predetermined cost for a specific project or scope of work, suitable for clearly defined requirements and deliverables
Retainer model: Entails a recurring fee to secure access to a dedicated team or resource pool for ongoing or long-term projects
Milestone-based: Payments are tied to the completion of agreed-upon deliverables or project phases to ensure alignment with progress and results

The top 50 staff augmentation companies on DesignRush charge an average of $47 per hour. 5.5% of the companies accept projects under $1,000, catering to small-scale initiatives. In contrast, 5.9% require a minimum budget of $50,000, offering higher-skilled staff augmentation for companies that seek more complex integration solutions.

Question 5

Why should I hire a staff augmentation company?

Accepted Answer

You should hire a staff augmentation company because it can scale your team’s capabilities and deliver greater efficiency for your projects at lower costs. These companies provide access to global specialized talent and their industry knowledge, allowing you to outsource the skills without the lengthy hiring processes.

Hire a staff augmentation company because it can:

Save time for higher profitability by accelerating project completion and enabling faster product launches
Reduce recruitment costs by avoiding expenses related to onboarding, training, and retaining full-time employees
Efficiently scale your team, offering flexibility to adjust team size and project strategies based on needs
Supplement specialized skills to your team, enabling you to tackle complex tasks or implement advanced technologies
Minimize risks associated with long-term hiring commitments by offering temporary, project-based solutions
Boost project quality by integrating experienced professionals with proven expertise in their respective fields
Streamline operations by quickly filling resource gaps without disrupting your existing processes
Enhance adaptability, allowing your business to timely respond to evolving project requirements or market demands
Allow you to maintain control over your projects while you benefit from external expertise and support

Success story

Our experts have selected the following case study to showcase the advantages of leveraging professional staff augmentation services:

Challenge: ShearShare, a platform connecting users, stylists, and barbershop owners, needed to revamp its mobile application to improve functionality and user experience. Its existing app lacked advanced features, a good payment system, and an intuitive design that could meet customer expectations.
Solution: CXR collaborated with ShearShare to overhaul the app. The agency enriched the app with multi-tiered user classes, a custom API for in-app payments, and messaging and communications features. Another key update included a redesigned UI/UX to elevate usability and aesthetic appeal.
Results: Within four months, ShearShare experienced a 70% month-over-month increase in downloads, a 60%-80% boost in download-to-registration rates, and positive customer feedback highlighting the app's premium feel and improved functionality.

Question 6

How do I choose the best staff augmentation services for my business?

Accepted Answer

To choose the best staff augmentation services for your business, follow the steps suggested below:

Define your project goals
Identify the specific skill sets required for your project. Clearly define the roles of the augmented staff and ensure their capabilities can accommodate your needs.
Set a budget
Establish a feasible budget for the service, considering potential variable costs. Choose a staffing company that offers a balance between cost-effectiveness and quality output.
Research potential providers
Explore agency directories like DesignRush, marketplaces, and industry listings to create a list of potential agency partners. You may also seek references from industry peers who have previously employed the service.
Check relevant experience
Review portfolios and past projects to evaluate the capabilities of staff augmentation companies. Read client reviews and conduct background checks to verify the authenticity of testimonials and success stories.
Assess soft skills
To thrive within your company culture, ensure that augmented staff possess strong soft skills, such as adaptability and collaboration.
Evaluate team qualifications
Confirm that agencies can outsource talent with the required skillset for your project. For instance, a rebranding project for a clothing eCommerce site might require UI/UX designers, web developers, and copywriters.
Consider location
Determine if your project requires onshore, nearshore, or offshore staff based on cultural and market context or specialized skill needs.
Ask about data security and privacy
Inquire about data handling practices and compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA to ensure sensitive information is protected.
Shortlist candidates and send RFPs
Send requests for proposals (RFPs) to shortlisted providers. Compare proposals from multiple vendors and choose one that offers the best value for money.
Make the final decision
Choose the staff augmentation provider that best fits your project’s needs. Onboard the team, introduce them to colleagues, and provide resources to familiarize them with the project.
Discuss project management
Plan the workflow and assign a project manager to oversee the integration. Such an approach would allow you to retain control over management while ensuring augmented staff are briefed on company culture and project goals.
Seek legal and contractual clarity
Review all contracts and legal agreements thoroughly to ensure fairness and mutual protection. Confirm that the terms are clear and agreed upon by both parties.

In a DesignRush podcast, Mitch Joel, co-founder at ThinkersOne, shared the following insight on how to choose the right agency partner:

“You want to make sure you could work with them. You want to make sure that they can deliver and you want to make sure that what they deliver is a notch above what you would be able to do yourself.”

Still searching for staff augmentation services? Visit the DesignRush Marketplace and share your project requirements with us. We’ll match you with five suitable staff augmentation service providers — for free.

Question 7

What are the key success metrics used by staff augmentation companies?

Accepted Answer

The key success metrics used by staff augmentation companies include:

Client satisfaction
The level of satisfaction from clients, typically measured through surveys, feedback, or Net Promoter Score (NPS)
Time to fill
The average time it takes to find and place a candidate in the required role
Quality of hire
The performance and fit of augmented staff based on the client's needs, assessed after a probation period or through feedback
Utilization rate
The percentage of time that augmented staff are actively engaged in billable work
Retention rate
The percentage of staff who stay for the duration of the project or engagement, indicating satisfaction and effective integration
Response time
The average time it takes an agency to respond to client requests for staff or changes in the project team
Client onboarding efficiency
The ease and speed with which augmented staff can be onboarded and integrated into the client’s team or workflow
Cost-effectiveness
The balance between the cost of augmentation services and the value delivered, ensuring that clients are getting a return on investment
Project delivery timeliness
The ability of the augmented staff to meet project deadlines and contribute to timely delivery

Question 8

How do I find the best staff augmentation services on DesignRush that fit my budget?

Accepted Answer

You can find the best staff augmentation services on DesignRush that fit your budget by using our agency filters. Shortlist the agencies by choosing from those that can cater to projects from $1,000 to above $50,000 based on your budget.

Low Budget: 1k above	Vinova Fulminous Software Codup
Mid Budget: 10k above	Saigon Technology Openxcell Simpalm
High Budget: 50k above	InoXoft Cheesecake Labs BairesDev

Browse through our agency directory to view agency profiles by location, area of expertise, client reviews, industries catered to, team size, pricing, and hourly rates. This allows you to comprehensively compare staff augmentation companies and select the ideal fit for your project.

Question 9

What red flags to watch out for when hiring staff augmentation services?

Accepted Answer

When hiring staff augmentation services, be mindful of these red flags:

Lack of relevant expertise
Avoid companies that lack specific skills or experience in your niche. Providers unfamiliar with your sector or the necessary technical capabilities may struggle to effectively meet your project’s demands.
Unclear onboarding timelines
Be cautious of providers who cannot outline clear timelines for onboarding and integration. Delayed onboarding can disrupt your project schedule and hinder progress.
Absence of portfolio
Steer clear of companies that cannot provide portfolios, case studies, or client testimonials demonstrating their success in delivering staff augmentation services for similar projects. Without such references, evaluating their suitability for your needs or their reliability in handling complex requirements would be a challenge.
Poor communication skills
Avoid companies with ineffective communication practices, as this can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and frustration. A reliable provider should maintain regular updates and be responsive to your queries.
Lack of transparency in pricing
Be wary of companies that are vague about their pricing structures. Seek a provider that offers detailed cost breakdowns, ensuring no hidden fees and alignment on financial expectations.
Unrealistic promises
Avoid providers that promise instant results or guaranteed success without understanding your project's complexities. Effective staff augmentation requires careful planning, integration, and performance monitoring.
Inflexible service agreements
Be cautious of companies that offer rigid contracts with little room for adjustments. A reputable provider should offer flexibility to adapt terms and team size as project needs evolve.

Question 10

What questions should I ask before hiring a staff augmentation company?

Accepted Answer

Before hiring a staff augmentation company ask the following questions:

Its Relevant Background

Can you elaborate on the staff’s technical skills and work culture?
Do you have hands-on experience with projects like ours?
What specific accomplishments did the team have in their past projects?
What is the profile of your longest-standing client?
What industries do you specialize in?
How do you stay updated with the latest technologies and industry standards?
What training and development opportunities do you offer your staff?

Its Services and Processes

Can you walk me through your talent recruitment process?
Where do you source your candidates?
How do you validate the experience and expertise of candidates?
How can we ensure that the team complies with our data protection guidelines?
How long is the usual recruitment process for hiring an augmented staff from your agency?
How will the interview process work?
Do you offer scalable solutions?
What is your process for addressing performance issues or mismatches in staff-client expectations?
How flexible are you with contract terms and conditions?

Relevant to Your Project

If we hire an augmented staff or team from your agency, are they exclusive to work for us fully during the agreed timespan or will they also be assigned to other companies?
Do you negotiate the offer to candidates or do I?
What is the frequency of reporting that we can expect?
What project management methodologies do you have in place?
How do you handle intellectual property rights?

Question 11

What are the best staff augmentation companies in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

The best staff augmentation companies in the U.S. are:

DevData Tech Talent
- 5.0 stars on DesignRush (37 reviews)
- 5.0 stars on Google (27 reviews)
- Top clients: Idealab, Inc., Cubus AS, Skycatch, Inc., Verus Analytics LLC
Suffescom Solutions Inc
- 5.0 stars on DesignRush (38 reviews)
- 5.0 stars on Google (3 reviews)
- Top clients: Modani Furniture, King Cubs, Lead Action, Mealed
Scopic
- 4.9 stars on DesignRush (40 reviews)
- 4.4 stars on Google (30 reviews)
- Top clients: SDS Industries, KidsTale, Till, Oxford Immune Algorith-mics
Codup
- 4.9 stars on DesignRush (43 reviews)
- Top clients: Unilever, Dyson, Seacost Bank, Harrods
Diffco
- 5.0 stars on DesignRush (37 reviews)
- 5.0 stars on Google (22 reviews)
- Top clients: Food Rocket, FlashGrid, Instreamatic, Quire

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