HR need for technology upgrade

More tech needed

According to a report from Towers Watson, budget cuts in HR departments during the recession saw a rise in the need to maximize performance from various aspects of the remaining team.

The Towers Watson survey reveals that HR professionals listed ‘talent/performance management systems' as the most critical issue for HR departments, while 42 percent of the respondents listed talent management as the most important aspect of HR. As a result of this investment in remaining talent, "cost" was not at the top of the HR issues and as a result has led to a drastic increase in HR technology budgets.

During the recession, investments in HR technology didn't drastically decrease in line with other areas of the business. And now, in 2010, 83 percent of HR groups increasing or maintaining their tech budgets.

"Deploying new or enhanced systems"

Speaking about the report, Tom Keebler, Global Practice Leader with Towers Watson, said: "Talent management technologies have unquestionably become one of the best ways for companies and HR departments to drive better employee performance and enterprise success following the recession.

"In spite of the initial costs, organizations are increasingly deploying new or enhanced systems, recognizing that efficient and effective HR processes enable the flexibility and agility employers need in an uncertain but growth-oriented business environment.

"HR's reliance on technology to achieve greater efficiency and cost savings during the recession allowed it to maintain and even grow HR technology budgets in a challenging business environment.

"As companies recover and budgets expand once again, leaders appear ready to make a forward-looking commitment to talent management systems that will reap substantial long-term rewards for the HR department, line managers and the broader organization."

According to the report, the most critical HR service delivery issues respondents face in 2010 include:

• Talent/performance management systems (42 percent versus 35 percent in 2009)
• Streamlining processes/systems (35 percent versus 35 percent in 2009, unchanged)
• Increased involvement in strategic business-driven issues (27 percent versus 23 percent in 2009)
• Defining human capital metrics and dashboards (22 percent versus 17 percent in 2009)
• Recruiting/staffing services/systems (21 percent versus 12 percent in 2009

About the Survey

The 13th annual HR Service Delivery Survey polled HR and HRIT executives from 456 organizations for their insight on topics and trends impacting the year ahead. 51 percent consider themselves multinational/global companies. 64 percent of respondents have more than 5000 employees.

Relevant articles:

Telecommuters have better work/life balance | Corporate salary depends on attractiveness| Part-time workers get more benefits

Like this article? Get the RSS feed: