Top 6 HR Technology Trends to Watch in 2019
By: Amy Champigny, Deltek
Gartner’s 2017 CEO survey found that CIOs must scale up digital business initiatives. Digitalization was on the periphery of most CEOs only a few years ago. The time for transformation is now. No matter which way we look at this finding, it will have a profound impact on the way people are managed, projects are staffed and delivered, and even how we prepare the workforce for the future.
Incorporating technology into your human capital management strategy offers a significant return on your investment. It’s not just about modernizing how we recruit, develop, and retain our people (though that’s certainly part of it). It’s also about your ability to prepare your people for the game-changing technology that will absolutely help you to differentiate yourself in the market.
Awareness comes first. Do you know which trends (and terms) you should have on your radar? Are you reading, learning, and sharing within your organization? And are you prepared to add practical innovation as a pillar in your firm culture?
At Deltek, we place significant emphasis on how pragmatic innovation helps us to support our customers by incorporating intuitive applications of the technology we have all grown accustomed to in our personal lives. This technology is just beginning to take hold and enable HR professionals to do more than drown in emails and paperwork.
As an HR leader and professional, make sure these six top technology trends are on your radar:
#1 AI, Machine Learning, and Natural Language
The use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language is increasing. Practical applications of these types of technology will change everything from how we recruit new employees to how we succession plan, creating a kind new employee experience. Artificial intelligence is not likely to replace the human component of HCM, but it will accelerate the transformation from administrative to more strategic activities.
#2 Predictive Analytics
Even where people are concerned, good decision-making is becoming more and more about data. Improve data integrity and address gaps this year. Once you have your data scrubbed, you can start truly leveraging the metrics you may already be tracking. If you aren’t tracking human capital management metrics, it’s time to get started. Benchmarking against other AEC firms is imperative if you hope to find and retain the top qualified talent in the marketplace. As an added dimension, overlay predictive analytics to help your firm proactively manage the workforce. Imagine knowing when you’ll need to expand the workforce or prepare teams for strategic growth – the opportunities are endless.
#3 Integration of Solutions (HRIS, Talent Management, ERP)
Different functions of HR can no longer effectively work in silos. Work to improve visibility by utilizing integrated platforms that can provide rich visuals. Build insights and strengthen decision-making with accurate data collected from various parts of the business. Managing people is a firm-wide affair. Work closely with operations, resource planning, and business development to create a more integrated human capital management strategy and leverage integrated HR solutions to support your efforts.
#4 Employee Experience
Companies have paid particular attention to employee engagement the last couple of years, but there is still a long road before the changing expectations of the modern workforce are truly addressed. Take a look at the whole experience, starting from the moment a prospective candidate views a job post, through onboarding to longer-term development and career planning. Look for ways to make your employees’ lives simpler and more productive. The modern workforce wants to understand their contribution and purpose. Don’t overlook these areas when building your own improved employee experience.
#5 Employee Development Culture (Yes, you do need a Learning Management Solution)
Development should be at the very center of any human capital management strategy – more often, we see investment in recruiting without an equal investment in the technology that will keep those key leaders and star project players at the top of their game and driving successful outcomes. Development plans aren’t just about creating leaders; they are about supporting your employees in their own aspirations and providing a framework that makes them successful. As your employees mature in their roles and feel your support, they’ll take on those stretch projects and become even more skilled. You’ll end up with a culture of development; a workforce full of people with a growth mindset. You will have cultivated the leaders, innovators, and integral contributors your company needs to build a long-lasting legacy of growth.
#6 Performance Management Evolution
How do you create an effective performance management practice? At its heart, performance management is about the continuous communication of objectives, priorities, goals, achievements and growth of both the individual employee and the firm. Standalone annual appraisals simply are not enough. The communication between project manager and team members must be frequent and relevant to current project work. Imagine a world where performance, development, and learning are integrated. Your employees absolutely want to deliver the best projects they possibly can. Your role should be to help identify and address gaps in skills and competencies and help them grow toward a future role in the firm. As many as 90% of firms who have transformed performance management have seen a significant improvement in conversations between managers and employees which has resulted in increased client satisfaction!
Key Takeaways
Keep an eye on these 6 trends and watch for more. It is not just about millennial expectations anymore; technology can absolutely transform your human capital management strategy for the better. Recruit more strategically, develop your own leaders steeped in your firm’s culture and values, and overhaul the employee experience to position your firm as a leader by incorporating HR technology solutions.
Deltek
Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 23,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. www.deltek.com
