The Outsourcing Manual

Large companies and small are increasingly seeing outsourcing as a means of making the most of their more limited resources. But how do you know whether it is right for your organization? What benefits are on offer and how do you ensure you realize them? How do you begin to construct a value-for-money agreement or determine a basis for pricing? What are the risks, and how do you recognize and manage them? Because every organization’s needs are different, informed answers to these questions have been difficult to come by. Robert White and Barry James are experts with more than 35 years of experience in this field. The Outsourcing Manual is a fully comprehensive guide for any organization considering taking this route. It is above all practical, with models, outline procedures, a step-by-step guide to procurement, and standard documentation that can easily be adapted to your organization’s requirements. There are case studies and worked examples throughout. The four part structure takes you through: assessment of outsourcing as a strategy for your organization; the planning phase; implementation; and outsourcing from the supplier’s perspective. If you are involved in or considering outsourcing, the methodical and case study illustrated approach of The Outsourcing Manual will equip you to manage the process for a successful outcome.

Contents: Introduction. Part 1 Think First!: Introduction to Part 1; Setting clear objectives; Assessing the potential for internal performance improvement; The implications for user business units; Managing the constituency; Risks and their management. Part 2 Preparation - The Key to a Good Job: Introduction to Part 2; The procurement process; Project planning and resources; Agreement packaging; Defining the service requirement; Human resources; Assets; Charging formulae; The contract; Models for evaluating proposals; Model for evaluating relationships; The Statement of Service Requirement. Part 3 Procuring the Agreement and Managing its Implementation: Introduction to Part 3; Making a market; Negotiation approach and checklist; Contract management process overview; Implementation management. Part 4 The Suppliers’ Perspective - Three Case Studies: Introduction to Part 4. Appendices: Illustrative project plan; Sample reference questionnaire; Contract management process overview; Illustrative implementation plan; Index.

Robert White and Barry James are directors of outsourcing specialists Lucidus Ltd based near Oxford. Robert White’s varied career includes managing and selling outsourcing services for the Hoskyns Group prior to establishing his own consultancy practice. Barry James has worked in outsourcing for more than twenty years, first with the Hoskyns Group and later with Andersen Consulting.