In many organizations, the resource and capacity management disciplines are undergoing a revolution. COVID-19 has caused many companies to shift to remote working to ensure business continuity without jeopardizing the health and safety of employees. Several surveys and studies have demonstrated the benefits of this arrangement for both employees and companies: workers enjoy reduced commuting times, greater flexibility, and improved quality of life; business owners get the opportunity to save money on real estate and harness geographically distant talent pools.
However, increasingly remote work cultures come with their share of challenges for HR management professionals. Here’s an overview of the solutions.
Remote Resource and Capacity Management: Maintaining Socialization and Communication
When compared to traditional, on-premises work models, remote working can make it harder for employees to socialize and feel connected. According to O.C. Tanner’s 2023 Global Culture Report, less than half (48%) of hybrid and remote employees say it’s easier to create a sense of community in their new work environment. The same study points that 72% say it’s important for them to feel like part of a community at work.
Video calls and enterprise chat systems have become a key part of remote workers’ daily lives — but they are not always an appropriate substitute for in-person, face-to-face conversations. Many employees report feeling the pressure of the self-view mode during their video meetings.
To fix that, resource management and capacity planning leaders could consider encouraging the use of smart collaboration and communication systems. For example, screen-sharing features could help.
Remote Resource and Capacity Management: Shifting the Recruitment, Onboarding, and Training Processes
Work from home is a game-changer for resource and capacity management professionals, who may now hire talent from different geographies. On the flip side, onboarding new recruits may prove more challenging. It may take more time to get them acquainted with the culture and ways of working of the organization. All the steps for the in-person onboarding and training process should be adapted in a digital format to ensure the satisfaction, engagement, and performance of new employees.
More often than not, this requires further investment in new digital services, software, and hardware — and possibly dedicated training sessions to encourage adoption among the workforce, old and new.
Remote Resource and Capacity Management: Rethinking Workflows and Management Practices
The inability to share documents and ideas physically may affect your work process and workflows, making it harder for team members to keep track of their assignments and deadlines. A collaborative work management tool can help in this regard. Remote teams also need a centralized repository allowing them to access all relevant data and document instantly, wherever they are. Finally, regular team check-in and status meetings will help you track work progress without giving them the sentiment they’re micromanaged.
Successful remote resource and capacity management involves the support of state-of-the-art technology tools and software. While this represents an investment, this is also the opportunity to update or overhaul your toolset for the best.
