What Does a Real Outsourcing Solution for Engineering and Construction Look Like?

 

Companies used to handle everything internally.

But changes in the workforce also heralded changes in the traditional company landscape. And now outsourcing solutions are the new norm. Engineering and construction companies struggle to outsource projects. Some companies fully embrace outsourcing as a potential resource for different functions. While others are reluctant to look into such solutions. And companies that do outsource still run into a range of problems. Some companies need highly skilled and trained professionals to fill roles in their company. This severely narrows down the pool of potential contractors. Or a company may work with outsourcers who are great at a little bit of everything. However, that doesn’t address the specialised needs of a particular job or project. Furthermore, many companies don’t know what true outsourcing looks like. And their fears of stereotypes may keep them from exploring this option further. That’s where this article comes in and addresses those concerns. Especially the last one. Find out what companies should expect from outsourcing solutions.

What Does It Look Like

What can you expect from an outsourcing solution? There are many outsourcing companies to choose from. However, outsourcing in the construction industry and engineering sector requires specialised attention. So, make sure that your outsourcing company has these standards before considering to hire them:

#1 – Specialised Knowledge About Your Industry and Requirements

It’s easy to find an outsourcing company that tries to do everything. As you know, general back-office outsourcing has been an option for decades. But the right outsourcing company goes beyond admin support. When you outsource construction and engineering projects, though, you need special skillsets. The right outsourcing solution has specialists in their pool. Jacks-of-all-trades may work in some instances. But you may need a professional who has experience in R&D or technical documentation. Specialists understand the specific challenges you may face in engineering and construction. And they’re better prepared to handle them. For example, Cybalink Solutions works with a company that was enjoying a period of exponential growth. But it came with challenges. They needed 13 highly skilled engineering specialists to keep up with the workload. With outsourcing, they ended up with a total of 30 people in 5 months. This outsourcing solution saved the company time and money. And it gave the client the capacity to keep up with their growth.

#2 – Top-End Security for Sensitive Project Information

Construction and engineering outsourcing can be challenging. These industries often handle a lot of sensitive information. So you need a company that knows what to do with it. The right engineering outsourcing companies have top-end security protocols to protect client information. They may have a variety of security protocols in place to protect your company’s information. Some security levels may include secure logins from physical offices. You may also see high-end encryption or limited access to servers. The right outsourcing company uses multi-level security so there’s a lower risk of breaches on their end. And you can be sure that your sensitive information is in safe hands. Of course, you can always use security measures on your end. However, they may only go so far. That’s why construction and engineering outsourcing companies work with you. Their IT department coordinates with yours to maintain the highest security protocols.

#3 – Options for Several Areas of Business

You may be in search of construction and engineering outsourcing. But you may also need a company that delivers a variety of services in that specific industry. For example, if you want to outsource construction projects you may need estimators and drafters. However, you could probably use help with some back-office support. Rather than hiring back office support from a different company, the right outsourcing one will have specialists in all areas. Furthermore, admin specialists in construction and engineering understand the environment and terminology. This may make them more effective than a general office admin. An engineering and construction remote staff may help with a variety of tasks. They include:

• engineering design
• estimating
• architecture
• quantity surveying
• structural detailing/drafting

 

Furthermore, outsourcing companies can provide additional office support to complement your project team. Find support for various departments like:

One of Cybalink’s high-profile clients is a company listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. They needed 3 people in 3 different areas: HR/recruitment, doc control, and estimating. They contacted Cybalink Solutions to fill this vacancy. But they had an additional request. This client also needed to bring these people in while saving as much as possible on overhead. Not only did Cybalink Solutions deliver everything the client requested, but they also slashed the company’s total overhead. The client secured 16 new people across the initial 3 remits. This led to a boost in their HR team. What makes this different than general support outsourcing options? These business services are still within the realm of engineering and construction. And your new talents bring the expertise of knowing these industries into their administrative roles.

#4 – Dedicated Suppport

Your company culture is important. It’s part of your overall identity. Outsourcing doesn’t change that. And a dedicated support team helps an outsourced team integrate seamlessly into your business. Look for an outsourcing company that understands your vision. A dedicated support team understands what you need so that they can deliver a level of service that’s beyond your expectations. In addition, you want an outsourcer that has a team that works for you – and only you. A dedicated team can deliver dedicated support. The last thing you want to do is share resources in a pool. That sometimes happens with outsourcing companies. But the right outsourcer gives you your own support team who knows and understands your needs.

#5 – Flexible Operating Hours

Have you heard horror stories about unreachable outsource contractors? The time difference of an overseas team can be a problem with some companies. However, a good outsourcing company will give you true flexibility with operational hours. Sometimes you need a team to work your standard operating hours. They need to be accessible with the main team at the head office. Or, you can have the team work after hours. That option gives you coverage and additional support beyond the work hours of your onshore team.

#6 – Cultural Alignment

You don’t have to reinvent your company’s culture when you hire an outsourced team. Many companies get anxious when they think of how outsourcing may disrupt the existing company culture. But the right outsourced talent can integrate into your existing culture with ease. In fact, you want a company that looks for those aspects of the hiring process. Skill is important. You want high-quality candidates that are well-versed in engineering and construction. But it’s equally important to find candidates that align with your values. When you do in-house recruitment, you may spend months looking for candidates who fit your company’s culture. The right outsourcing company also takes those fine details in mind when hiring your remote staff. They make sure that the candidates fit in with your existing cultures. Doing so helps the outsource teams integrate into your environment as seamlessly as possible.

#7 – Comprehensive Outline of the Process

How does a company handle remitting requests? There’s the process of picking out the right people to make up the outsource team. When you’re looking for a proper outsourcer, make sure you understand the process involved. And be leery of companies that let you submit the request without working with you at every step in the process. For instance, Cybalink Solutions has its 4-step process available online:

• Analysis
• Recruitment
• Your Team
• Your Management

This type of catered service is something you should not only look for but expect in an outsourcer. They need to fully understand what you want before they can recruit professionals. Furthermore, you’re also assured that they gain a firm understanding of your company’s culture. That way, they only recruit candidates who are not only qualified but also align with your values. Lastly, they make sure to take care of you beyond the vetting and recruitment process. That means having a dedicated team for support and management.

Conclusion

The ideal outsourcing solutions for engineering and construction look like freedom. The right provider gives you the freedom to grow your company without the typical growing pains associated with expansion. That means a dedicated and skilled team that’s familiar with the industry. Whether you need someone familiar with mechanical engineering or a drafter, an outsourcer can provide it. Additionally, look for one that has a variety of business services to complement the team and your ongoing projects. It also means having a dedicated remote team. You aren’t sharing a pool of resources. When properly set up, you don’t have to worry about a separate team because they are your team. They just happen to work out of a different office. And the right outsourcing company can recruit candidates who fit so seamlessly that you would have hired them yourself. Find out what outsourcing solutions can do for you. At Cybalink Solutions, we specialise in outsourcing for engineering and construction firms. 

 

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Get in touch today to book a confidential call with our co-founders Kim Lombardi and John Rodgers.