Thanks to technology, shifts in work culture, and societal changes, HR has transformed in many ways over the years. But a new report examined how HR might not yet be prepared for what’s coming.

Future of the industry. The Future of HR Report, released in late June by McLean & Company, found that the industry is influenced and motivated by HR trends like digital transformation, skills gaps, and the hybrid workforce. These trends will drive the future, which the report predicted will focus on employee sentiment, technological advancements, and changes in how work is viewed.

And while the drivers have changed somewhat over time, the sentiments have largely remained unchanged. In the 1970s, the Industrial Management Review argued that HR must take a more “prominent place” in a company’s decisions, said the report. Fast-forward to now, and 66% of respondents said that HR will shape their organization in 2030.

Tech readiness. While McLean & Company’s report examines several areas of HR, technology was a constant focal point. “Technology won’t supplant HR but HR also cannot move forward without it,” the report said. HR isn’t yet prepared to deliver the proper amount of value via technology and analytics; the profession must learn how to quickly adapt to new technologies if it wants to stay current, according to the report.

However, industry leaders can prepare themselves and their teams by investing in more technology, and continuously upskilling HR professionals, wrote McLean & Company.

But it’s not just blanket investment in technology. Instead, McLean & Company recommended that HR teams examine past challenges and successes, current challenges and successes, and future challenges to determine the skills gaps within the team and what barriers stand in the way of success.

Read the full report here.