major IT organisation has found an innovative solution to tackle its talent shortage and optimize operations: Inclusive Job Design. By rethinking workflows, they not only addressed staffing challenges but also improved efficiency while creating meaningful jobs for individuals with barriers to employment.

Streamlining Software Testing

In this organisation, senior IT engineers were responsible for testing software updates, which occurred every two weeks. While critical, the task didn’t fully leverage their advanced skills. Automation was an option—engineers could write a program to handle testing—but the automation itself required ongoing updates with every software change.

This created a dilemma: dedicating senior engineers to testing or automation pulled them away from their core responsibilities, delaying high-priority projects.

A Smarter Workforce Strategy

The organisation analysed the situation and discovered a more efficient approach: delegating the software testing process to entry-level employees. They calculated that employing individuals from underutilized talent pools—notably, people with barriers to employment—would yield a positive business case. Even with the cost of training and supervision, this approach was more cost-effective than tying up senior IT engineers on repetitive tasks.

Building a New Team

The company created a specialised team of five Testing Assistants and one supervisor. These assistants handle all the testing work, freeing up senior IT engineers to focus on complex, high-value tasks. The result?

• Increased productivity: Engineers can now dedicate their time to strategic projects.
• Cost savings: Delegating repetitive tasks to entry-level staff reduced overhead.
• Enhanced morale: Engineers reported being happier and more engaged in their work.

A Win-Win Solution

By embracing Inclusive Job Design, this IT company transformed a challenge into an opportunity. They addressed their labour shortages, optimized workflows, and empowered a new group of employees to contribute meaningfully to the business. For entrepreneurs looking to solve similar challenges, this example proves that rethinking roles and redistributing tasks can drive both profit and purpose.