Setting up and managing outsourcing contracts to deliver value and accommodate change

The concept of outsourcing is a recognised business planning strategy; senior corporate management and facilities services have been progressively outsourced in the UK for many years. However, transforming an outsourcing business plan into an effective and balanced operating contract remains challenging. Getting your outsourcing project properly positioned in the business, procuring the right integrated facilities contractor and then subsequently mobilising and managing the contract can be a difficult journey to navigate. This paper describes how to approach the principles and practicalities of outsourcing noncore services and how to make sure that some of the principal pitfalls along the road of the outsourcing project are avoided. It finally offers some ideas on how to get the most out of a project in the long term.