IT staff lack business skills

Managers frustrated by continuing lack of business awareness, says research

More than half of IT leaders think their departments suffer from a lack of business knowledge and communication skills, according to new research.

The survey from supplier Parity Resources suggests that 58 per cent of managers are frustrated by the lack of understanding of wider business issues among IT staff, with 70 per cent agreeing that communication skills and business knowledge are the most critical areas for development within the IT team.

Parity managing director Alan Rommel said managers should consider how they can develop the skills within their IT team so the business can benefit.

“Even without a training budget, there are activities and sessions that can be run within the organisation to equip IT staff with the skills they need,” he said.

Parity urged firms to address the situation before IT staff "lose the hunger " to develop such skills.

The study also found that 85 per cent of IT staff believe "people skills" should be evaluated when selecting new IT recruits.

The survey also picked up a perceived lack of psychometric testing at the recruitment stage - mentioned by two-thirds of respondents - which could help evaluate a candidate’s people skills before they are hired.

Rommel said the research showed both staff and managers want to develop their skills and business knowledge so they are better equipped in their job.

“Both sides are singing from the same hymn sheet – which is a good start - but why aren’t the two listening to each other? We are witnessing more recruiters wanting to hire all-rounders who can contribute to the business beyond the traditional IT remit,” he said.

Parity questioned 163 staff and managers in a variety of IT-based roles.