ILTA White Papers

ILTA’S 2010 IT STAFFING SURVEY There are a variety of possible explanations for the difference between our expectations and the survey’s findings. Perhaps firms that adopt new technology more slowly focus IT staff resources on training and support to maximize the return on investment for existing technologies. In addition, we’ve all been challenged to do more with less in our struggling economy. We note that only 43% of our respondents reported that their IT departments are adequately staffed, down from 54% in 2008. An equal number reported inadequate staffing levels, up from 33% in 2008. In 2008, 27% of our respondents had dedicated administrative support for their IT department; in 2010, that number dropped to 16%. One of the survey’s questions was, “If the IT FTE (full time equivalent) count for your firm has changed since 2007, has the attorney count changed roughly proportionately?” A whopping two-thirds answered “no.” That could mean attorney counts have decreased while IT staff has increased, but that seems doubtful based on the responses regarding adequacy of staffing levels. However, we think you’re in for another surprise when you turn to the page that shows staffing ratios. In 2008, small firms reported an average ratio of users to IT staff of 41.2. In 2010, small firms reported an average ratio of 37.2. Medium firms were at an average of 41.6 in 2008 and are at 39.0 in 2010. For large firms, the numbers are 30.5 in 2008 and 33.2 in 2010; very large firms reported a ratio of 25.4 in 2008 and 26.1 in 2010. It seems that firms of 251-500 users have taken the hardest hit in IT staffing levels, but the difference in overall average ratio between 2008 (36.0) and 2010 (35.1) does not seem to represent a crushing blow to our profession or our ability to be effective. And in response to the question of whether IT staff increased, decreased or stayed the same since the economic downturn, 53% answered “Stayed the same” and 15% answered “Increased.” THE RUMORS OF THE DEMISE OF IT ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED The survey asked about our members’ outlook for economic conditions and IT staffing in 2011 and in the years to follow. Most of our respondents (58%) believe the effects of the economic downturn will continue through 2011. However, 68% are optimistic that IT staff will return to prior levels in the future, including 25% who believe it will happen in 2011. WE AREN’T KILLING OFF OUR LAW FIRMS EITHER Seventy-eight percent of our respondents are optimistic about their firms’ prospects in the coming years. ‘Nuff said. ILTA www.iltanet.org 2010 IT Staffing Survey 7

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