Other posts in this series:
Content Management outsourcing is gaining popularity, particularly due to the various options that are available to those who are seeking assistance – such as project-based consulting or staff augmentation. The outsourcing model offers access to skills, experience and resources that many organizations would not otherwise be able to obtain due to the financial commitment required to recruit, hire and train these specific proficiencies in-house. However, selecting the partner who can best meet your needs is not always as easy as you might think. The following considerations should be taken into account when assessing the outsourcing talent pool:
1. Experience
You certainly don’t want your chosen provider to “cut their teeth” on your application. Thoroughly researching the four points below will provide you “peace of mind” as you embark on your project.
A. In your industry or vertical market?
B. With your specific issue(s) or pain point(s)?
C. With your specific IT technology/product set(s) such as database and operating system
D. Multiple references – successful with implementations of similar size and scope?
2. Proven Methodologies
It is not uncommon to ask to see representative examples of previous project or communication plans. Additionally, your company has proven standards and methodologies that have been critical to your past success. Will your outsource partner incorporate the good things that you typically like to include that have made previous endeavors successful? Be sure to ask about:
A. Project charter – initiation and/or creation of project
B. Project plan – Scheduling, resources and commitments
C. Project status update – recurring, dependable communication plan
D. Change order – predefined process to manage scope creep
E. Mutual Sign-off upon successful project completion
April 12, 2010 at 3:44 pm |
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