Strategy
Scaling Your People Function from 50 to 200: A Stage-by-Stage Map
June 26, 2025 · 9 min read
The hardest people-ops scale-up is 50 to 200. The processes that worked at 50 break at 100. The ones you build for 200 are wrong at 100 too. Here's the map.
50-75: One generalist, no system
Spreadsheets are still fine. Founders are still in interviews. Culture is fragile but legible.
75-125: First HRBP, first systems
ATS + lightweight HRIS. First written interview rubric. Founder pulls out of all but final interviews.
125-175: Specialisation begins
Recruiting and HR ops separate. First L&D investment. Compensation bands drafted. Performance cycle goes formal.
175-200: The tipping point
Either consolidate the stack now or carry six vendors into 200+. Most regrets we hear are at this transition — teams that delayed the consolidation.