Develop a Flexible Work Program for IT | Info-Tech Research Group

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In recent years, some organizations have outright banned flexible work, reporting it to be a failure.
Research shows consistent challenges: programs are ad hoc; minimal assessment of the suitability of jobs for flexible work; and a lack of information and support for managers and employees on how to work differently to make it a success.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

Do your due diligence when it comes to developing a flexible work program: assess which options are actually feasible for the organization and identify the options employees would use. This way, the program will simply need to be tweaked to work out any kinks rather than scrapping it entirely.

Impact and Result

Make a business case to leadership about how flexible work can solve specific organizational pain points, rather than following the latest trend.
Balance employer and employee needs by assessing the feasibility of various flexible work options and determining if the options are something employees would actually use.
Equip managers and employees with information and guidance setting them up for success and address key implementation issues and cultural barriers.

Develop a Flexible Work Program for IT Research & Tools

Start here – read the Executive Brief

Read our concise Executive Brief to find out why you should develop a flexible work program, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and understand the four ways we can support you in completing this project.

Develop a Flexible Work Program for IT – Executive Brief

1. Set program direction

Determine roles, set metrics, identify employee segments, and gain leadership buy-in.

2. Create a shortlist of options

Review common types of flexible work and shortlist options for feasibility assessment.

3. Assess feasibility

Assess shortlisted flexible work options, gain leadership approval and investment, and identify implementation issues and cultural barriers.

4. Implement the program

Equip managers and employees to adopt flexible work options while addressing implementation issues and cultural barriers and aligning HR programs.

Member Testimonials

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8.8/10

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$12,399

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Amanda was great, she is very knowledgeable and a great communicator. In a nutshell she answered all my questions and provided with very valuable guidance and materials. Thank you!

British Columbia Institute of Technology

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Jane was very knowledgeable about the remote workforce space, including the elements that were of most importance to me: leadership competencies, cultural alignment, and potential barriers. She also enabled me to drive the conversation in the direction t...

AgCountry Farm Credit Services

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9/10

$12,399

2

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Workshop: Develop a Flexible Work Program for IT

Workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.

Module 1: Assess Feasibility of Flexible Work Options

The Purpose

Set metrics for the flexible work project.
Discover options and determine their feasibility.

Key Benefits Achieved

Flexible work options determined

Activities

Outputs

1.1

Analyze the data.

Data analyzed

1.2

Identify program goals and metrics.

Program goals and metrics identified

1.3

Identify employee segments that may need separate flexible work options.

Employee segments that may need separate flexible work options identified

1.4

Brainstorm flexible work options.

Flexible work options brainstormed

1.5

Assess feasibility of options.

Feasibility of options assessed

1.6

Finalize option(s).

Option(s) finalized

Module 2: Plan for Implementation

The Purpose

Work through potential risks.
Plan for program rollout.

Key Benefits Achieved

Manager guide created.
Action and communication plan outlined.

Activities

Outputs

2.1

Brainstorm solutions to implementation issues.

Potential solutions to implementation issues brainstormed

2.2

Identify how to overcome cultural barriers.

2.3

Define roles and responsibilities.

Roles and responsibilities defined

2.4

Design manager guide prototype.

Manager guide prototype designed

2.5

Align HR programs to support flexible work.

HR programs aligned with flexible work

2.6

Develop an action and communication plan.

Action and communication plan developed

About Info-Tech

Info-Tech Research Group is the world’s fastest-growing information technology research and advisory company, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals.

We produce unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. We partner closely with IT teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

What Is a Blueprint?

A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your IT problems.

Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.

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Guided Implementation 1: Set program direction

Call 1: Review metrics to track program success.
Call 2: Discuss tactics to gain leadership buy-in.

Guided Implementation 2: Create a shortlist of options

Call 1: Clarify the types of flexible work options.
Call 2: Discuss the impact of flexible work options and establish a shortlist.

Guided Implementation 3: Assess feasibility

Call 1: Review the feasibility assessments of the shortlist and determine the final list.

Guided Implementation 4: Implement the program

Call 1: Develop strategies to address implementation issues and cultural barriers.
Call 2: Customize the flexible work guide for managers and employees.
Call 3: Plan for ongoing program evaluation and improvement.

Author

Lindsay Ellis

Contributors

Judi Casey, WorkLife Consultant and former Director, Work and Family Researchers Network, Boston College
Carol Cochran, Director of People & Culture, FlexJobs
Lilian De Menezes, Professor of Decision Sciences, Cass Business School, University of London
Chris Frame, Partner – Operations, LiveCA
Kidde Kelly, OD Practitioner
Claire McCartney, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor, CIPD
Rose M. Stanley, CCP, CBP, WLCP, CEBS, People Services Manager, Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC
Dr. David Chalmers, Adjunct Professor, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University
Teresa Hopke, SVP of Client Relations, Life Meets Work – www.lifemeetswork.com
Shari Lava, Principal, Vendor Research, Info-Tech Research Group
Dr. Kenneth Matos, Senior Director of Research, Families and Work Institute
Kashmira Nagarwala, Change Manager, Siemens Canada
Mark Tippey, IT Leader and Experienced Teleworker
Kim Velluso, VP Human Resources, Siemens Canada
Dr. Isik U. Zeytinoglu, Professor of Management and Industrial Relations, McMaster University, DeGroote School of Business

Search Code: 90215
Last Revised: November 20, 2019

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