Tips on Outsourcing Strategy

Consider these tips before you begin formalizing your outsourcing strategy:

• One of the first questions to ask when faced with an option of outsourcing is, "What do we lose by having this done outside the company?"
  

• A decision to outsource is best made for clear strategic reasons, with the best interests of the company in mind, and with an understanding of all the factors.
  

• Under the pressure to be lean (and mean?), take care not to sell the family jewels, these are the core competencies of your business!
  

• When deciding between a consultant and an employee for a long-term project, consider who is more likely to provide the greater value and continuity for the full term of the project.
  

• Consider creating an RFP for "Phase Zero" of a project where the scope of work is not yet fully developed or its feasibility needs to be evaluated. Then use the Phase Zero vendor to develop the scope of work and an RFP for the project.