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.
Biography
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.
'a very informative handbook for practitioners considering large-scale outsourcing of information systems ... highly recommended' Journal of Information Technology 'Anyone unfamiliar with outsourcing who fails to study this manual before inviting proposals from external providers will be ignoring a valuable source of expert advice.' People Management 'Of the growing number of books on outsourcing, this appears to be the most comprehensive.' - Managing Information 'Full of useful detail' Long Range Planning 'Headings and subheadings, bullet points, numerous process maps, and the manual's step-by-step arrangement all contribute to the reader’s growing sense that this outsourcing challenge just might be manageable' American Reference Books Annual '... recommended to any company considering the possibility of outsourcing.' Logistics Focus
