Revolutionising Skill Development in Power Platform Through a Continual Development Model

Maintaining a robust and skilled development team is crucial for any business. However, companies often face the challenge of skill stagnation, especially in specialised areas like Microsoft's Power Platform. When employees are benched frequently, their skills can atrophy, leading to inefficiencies and decreased innovation. This article explores a forward-thinking solution: the Continual Development Model, which offers the benefits of outsourcing without the drawbacks of traditional IT support.

The Challenge: Skill Stagnation in Power Platform

Many businesses struggle to maintain a dynamic and skilled workforce in the realm of Power Platform. This challenge is exacerbated by:

1. Frequent Benching: Employees not consistently engaged in projects may lose touch with the latest advancements and best practices.
2. High Turnover: Power Platform skills are in high demand and with more teams being needed and with a low volume of app changes / development you can quickly see great people leaving.
3. Resource Allocation: Full-time staff dedicated to Power Platform can be costly and may not always be utilised to their full potential / value add.

Traditional Outsourcing: The Old Way

Outsourcing has long been a solution to the skill gap problem. Traditional IT support outsourcing, however, comes with its own set of challenges:

1. Lack of Integration: Outsourced teams often operate in isolation, leading to misalignment with the company’s objectives and culture.
2. Communication Barriers: Differences in time zones, language, and work culture can hinder effective collaboration.
3. Quality Control: Ensuring the quality and security of work done by an external team can be challenging.

Introducing the Continual Development Model

The Continual Development Model offers a refreshing alternative. By bringing in a cohesive team of experts for a few days each month, companies can enjoy the benefits of outsourced resources while mitigating the drawbacks. Here’s how it works:

1. Regular Engagement: A dedicated team works with your company for a set number of days each month, ensuring continuous development and integration.
2. Seamless Collaboration: These experts become an extension of your in-house team, aligning closely with your business objectives and culture.
3. Focused Improvement: The team focuses on managing and improving your Power Platform estate, implementing new apps, and making necessary changes and customisations. They work from a backlog focused on business value delivery.

Benefits of the Continual Development Model

Cost Efficiency

By engaging a team for only a fraction of the time compared to full-time staff, businesses can significantly reduce costs. The need for constant recruitment, training, and retention of full-time employees is eliminated.

Skill Retention and Development

The Continual Development Model ensures that your team remains up-to-date with the latest Power Platform developments. The external team brings fresh perspectives and new skills, which can be transferred to your in-house team.

Flexibility and Scalability

This model offers unmatched flexibility. As your needs evolve, the external team can scale their efforts up or down, providing exactly the level of support required without the overhead of full-time staff.

Implementing the Continual Development Model

Step 1: Identify Your Needs

Begin by assessing your current Power Platform estate and identifying areas that require improvement or additional support.

Step 2: Select a Partner

Choose a reputable outsourcing partner with a proven track record in Power Platform. Look for teams with experience in continual development and a collaborative approach. (My team are Awesome at this Business Cloud Integration Ltd )

Step 3: Define Engagement Terms

Establish clear terms of engagement, including the number of days the team will work each month, specific goals, and metrics for success. Create your backlog and assess business value for each item to determine priority.

Step 4: Integrate the Team

Ensure the external team is well-integrated into your company’s processes and culture. Regular meetings and clear communication channels are essential.

Step 5: Monitor and Adjust

Continuously monitor the performance of the external team and make adjustments as needed to ensure your objectives are being met.

Case Study: Success in Action

Consider a mid-sized company struggling with Power Platform management. By adopting the Continual Development Model, they engaged a team of experts for four days a month. This team focused on optimising existing apps, developing new solutions, and providing ongoing support. Within six months, the company saw a significant improvement in efficiency and innovation, all while reducing costs by 30%.

Conclusion

By leveraging the expertise of an external team on a part-time basis, businesses can enjoy the benefits of continuous improvement and cost savings. This innovative approach not only keeps your Power Platform estate in top shape but also ensures that your in-house team remains skilled and engaged.