Bench time, often dismissed as unproductive hours, holds untapped potential for resource managers. Nowadays, it is of significant value to unravel the complexity of bench time, debunk stereotypes, unveil its numerous values for HR Managers discover how astute resource managers leverage these hours and gain insights into strategic bench time management.
Understanding Bench Time
In professional services, “bench time” refers to non-billable hours spent on tasks outside client projects. It arises due to conflicting timelines, skill mismatches, or personnel leave, leading individuals to remain temporarily unallocated. However, it’s not merely unproductive; it’s a reservoir of potential opportunities.
Reframing Bench Time
Rather than viewing bench time as a financial loss, consider its multifaceted benefits. Peak utilization doesn’t always maximize resources’ potential. Overworked schedules stifle creativity, skill enhancement, and overall well-being. A case study with a company shifting from a 100% utilization focus illustrates the transformational power of recalibrating strategies toward employee development.
Bench: Budget and Forget Syndrome
Challenges of Leveraging the Benched Workforce
The bench in IT companies, known as a reserve pool of resources, poses both challenges and opportunities. Typically considered a cost center, it often gets overlooked within the budget, impacting revenue potential. This article explores how to optimize the bench for additional revenue while reducing effective costs. However, certain hurdles need to be addressed before exploring this potential.
Identifying Benched Employees
Managers commonly rely on spreadsheets to track benched employees. However, obtaining real-time information about who’s on the bench involves continuous updates and consultations, making the current month’s bench cost assessment laborious.
Classifying Benched Employees
Knowing who’s benched isn’t enough; understanding their affiliation (central pool, business unit, or customer) is crucial. This classification aids in decision-making but requires significant manual effort.
Assessing deployable resources
Identifying deployable resources from those on extended leave or shortlisted for a project demands substantial manual effort and inter-departmental coordination.
Aligning Benched Resources with Demand
Allocating deployable resources based on skill sets to meet project demands is complex. However, effectively deploying these resources can significantly reduce bench costs and drive extra revenue.
Streamline your bench management with Mintopps
Our team of HR specialists at Mintopps simplifies and streamlines bench management by integrating multiple databases. They will provide real-time, reliable information on employee details, skill sets, availability, and project statuses, facilitating quick decision-making and resource allocation.
Build Efficiency with Visible Benches at Mintopps
Our team is adept at strategies that enhance bench visibility, enabling collaboration among CFOs, business heads, and project managers to deploy resources promptly. This approach fosters a culture of efficiency, transitioning from percentage management to currency-based management.
Maximizing Last-Minute Resource Inventory
Like airlines and hotels optimizing their last-minute inventories, leveraging benched resources becomes an opportunity to maximize revenue potential.
Strategic Bench Time Management
Optimizing bench time involves critical aspects often overlooked by resource managers:
Resource Optimization
Aim for an optimal utilization rate of around 80%, preventing overburdening and fostering creativity.
Cost Reduction
Efficient bench management minimizes unproductive hours, translating into long-term cost savings.
Workforce Planning
Excessive bench time signals workforce planning revisions, aiming to balance staffing needs effectively.
Employee Satisfaction
Leveraging bench time for training and development elevates job satisfaction and staff loyalty.
Maximizing Bench Time’s Value
Strategic utilization of bench time involves:
Investing in learning
Design tailored development programs, aligning individual growth with company objectives.
Reskilling Initiatives
Identify skill gaps and invest in upskilling initiatives, ensuring teams remain up to date with industry trends.
Knowledge Management
Capture project insights and experiences, enabling informed decision-making for future endeavors.
Embracing Passions
Encourage employees to align personal interests with professional endeavors for enhanced engagement and innovation.
Strategic internal projects
Utilize bench time for internal projects, optimizing resources without affecting client work.
Conclusion
Bench time represents an opportunity for resource managers to elevate organizational capabilities. Effective management of these idle hours drives innovation, skill enhancement, and employee satisfaction. Streamline resource tracking and enhance bench time efficiency with Mintopps.
Mintopps empowers efficient bench management.
By integrating data and providing real-time insights, we will ensure optimal resource allocation, maximizing revenue potential while minimizing bench costs. Book a demo today to transform your resource management!