In many aspects of life, if we marry the learning from the past with the present, we get a good idea of what to expect for the future. This can be applied to the evolution of human resources (HR) technology. As the year nears its end, there’s a common inclination to only look ahead to next year. But for HR leaders, future preparedness transcends the next 365 days – we must anticipate where the industry will be in the next five years and beyond.
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Keeping in the theme of planning for the distant future, there will be a major shift in the talent management market by 2030. As we move forward, here is a sampling of the changes we can expect to shape the industry in the coming years.
- Goodbye Software, Hello Apps: HR technology will undergo a major uplift related to user interface (UI). For instance, before the existence of applicant tracking software, recruiters had to manually keep track of emails containing important information. Of course, that got old. Present day, software resources have undeniably eased the efficiency of HR management but there’s still room for improvement. There’s a common sentiment that there are too many widgets and icons – employees are hungry for simplicity. Leading up to 2030, we will see a significant transition from desktop software to applications, and many workforce management solution providers will market themselves as an “everything” app.
- “Everything” Apps, Defined: Historically, the HR tech world has been more reactive than proactive. Over the last decade, a bulk of innovation has been dictated by the needs of customers in real-time. As mentioned earlier, various software now exists to streamline processes including background checks, employee onboarding, health benefits, and more. However, consumers increasingly prefer mobile apps over desktop experiences. Over the next 5-10 years, every workplace touchpoint will be consolidated into single apps. The rise of millennials and Gen Z joining the workforce will be a big motivating factor for “all-in-one” apps. In fact, Gen Z is projected to account for 30% of the U.S. workforce by 2030.
- Everybody Loves HR: It’s a tale as old as time: many people tend to have negative perceptions of all that HR entails. Think back to elementary school and walking past the principal’s office – similar concept. Come 2030, the HR industry will have advanced technologically to a point where (almost) everybody will love HR. There will be a level of fun, respect, and excitement about what HR represents for the employee and in society. Processes and procedures will be improved and painless. The grunt of monotonous tasks will be a thing of the past, and workplaces will have evolved to a point of true partnership between employees and HR.
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Leaders must remember to look at the big picture when doing HR planning; it’s impossible to have a bright future without rapidly acclimating and innovating.