The IT Outsourcing Guide

You have decided that your business needs to outsource its IT requirements - this book will now show you how!
The outsourcing of IT is currently a "hot topic" internationally and yet guidebooks on how, rather than whether or not to implement this difficult process are rare despite the serious consequences of mistakes: the costs of switching back to an in-house operation are emotionally and financially high. The IT Outsourcing Guide provides invaluable, practical advice to both guide the novice and inform the veteran on how to effectively navigate through the IT outsourcing minefield once they have decided this is the route their business needs to take. The approach suggested is top-down and leads from business goals through contracting to ongoing management, with contributions from key employees of large international companies such as: Commonwealth Bank, Royal & Sun Alliance, Booz.Allen & Hamilton, PA Consulting and IDG.
Pioneering in the field as one of the first texts on how to implement IT outsourcing, this is a valuable resource for anyone involved in any part or stage of the information technology outsourcing process.Outsourcing von IT ist ein brandaktuelles Thema, zu dem bislang jedoch nur wenig detaillierte Literatur existiert. "The IT Outsourcing Guide" ist eines der ersten Bücher auf dem Markt, das sich ausführlich mit dieser Thematik beschäftigt. Es ist ein praktischer Leitfaden, der sowohl für den Neuling als auch für den erfahrenen IT-Experten fundierte Information bereit hält. Dabei geht es nicht um die Beanwortung der Frage, ob sich ein Unternehmen für IT Outsourcing entscheiden sollte oder nicht; der Schwerpunkt liegt vielmehr darauf, WIE das Outsourcing umgesetzt wird, wenn die Entscheidung zum Outsourcing gefallen ist. Basierend auf einem Top-Down-Ansatz, werden alle Aspekte diskutiert - von den Unternehmenszielen über die Vertragsgestaltung bis hin zum IT Management. Verständlich geschrieben und mit einer Fülle von Checklisten und Fallstudien. Ein unverzichtbarer Leitfaden für das Umsetzen des IT Outsourcing in die Praxis. Foreword.

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

Know Your Motives.

Developing Critical Success Factors and Criteria.

Discovering Your Environment.

Setting Management Principles.

Preselecting Service Providers.

Preparing the Request for Proposals.

Issuing the Request for Proposals.

Evaluating Request for Proposals Responses.

Undertaking Due Diligence.

Forming the Contract.

Defining Service Level Agreements.

Managing Transition.

Managing the Relationship.

Terminating or Renewing the Contract.

Why Outsource?

Epilogue.

Appendix A: Future Proofing the Contract.

Appendix B: Indicative Contract Contents.

Appendix C: Position Paper Pro Forma.

Appendix D: Contract Change Control Pro Forma.

Appendix E: Contract Requirement Statement.

Appendix F: Examples of Principles.

Appendix G: Outsourcing Timetable.

Appendix H: Business Case Template.

Appendix I: PA Consulting Group's SMART Model.

Further Reading.

References.

Index. "A practical top-down guide that shows companies already on the outsourcing route how to avoid costly mistakes." (Computing, 10th May 2001)
"..provides a wealth of practical detail...good value for money."
(Computer Bulletin, January 2002) ROB AALDERS has held senior strategic and line management positions in a variety of companies in Europe, Australia and Asia during 25 years in the IT industry. His strength lies in his ability to devise strategic plans for organisations and to define how they should be implemented.
Aalders has carried out assignments for multinational and governmental agencies including Australia Post, QANTAS, the National Rail Corporation and the Hong Kong Transport Department and has gained line management experience, mostly in the transportation sector, which gives a business focus and practical orientation to his strategic studies.
PA Consulting Group is a leading management, systems and technology consulting firm, with a unique combination of these capabilities. Established almost 60 years ago, and operating worldwide from over 40 offices in more than 20 countries, PA draws on the knowledge and experience of some 3,700 people, whose skills span the initial generation of ideas and insights all the way through to detailed implementation.
PA works with clients to improve performance, mobilise human resources and deliver change effectively, including managing major projects, and designing and implementing enterprise-wide systems and full e-business solutions.
We are proud that our clients say, "PA makes it happen." The outsourcing of IT is currently a 'hot topic' internationally and yet guidebooks on how, rather than whether or not to implement this difficult process are rare, despite the serious consequences of mistakes: the costs of switching back to an in-house operation are emotionally, publicly and financially high.
In this practical guide, Rob Aalders puts forward an approach which is top-down and leads form buisness goals through contracting to ongoing management, and includes contributions from key employees of large international companies such as: Commonwealth Bank, Royal Sun Alliance, Booz-Allen Hamilton, PA Consulting Group and IDC.
Pioneering in the field as one of the first texts on how to implement IT outsourcing, this is a valuable resource for anyone involved in any part or stage of the information technology outsourcing process.
You have decided that your business needs to outsource its IT requirements - this book will show you how. It:
* aims at both sides of the outsourcing divide - the host company doing the outsourcing as well as the service provider
* provides useful information for all those involved in the outsourcing of IT - auditors, lawyers and contractors as well as managers, technical staff, consulting groups and independent IT consultants
* details step-by-step guidance on how to undertake or restructure an outsourcing agreement The IT Outsourcing Guide provides invaluable, practical advice to both guide the novice and inform the veteran on how to effectively navigate through the IT outsourcing minefield once they have decided this is the route their business needs to take.
Advance praise for The IT Outsourcing Guide:
"A well researched and refreshingly practical look at how and where outsourcing might assist modern business harness the power of IT - written in an articulate and engaging style."
Peter Hine - International Data Corporation
"If your organisation has already decided to outsource some or all information technology, Aalders Guide to IT Outsourcing provides a vital "how to" toolkit. Rob Aalders has assembled a set of IT outsourcing templates, checklists, and success criteria for which consultants would charge customers thousands of dollars. This book is recommended to any manager who wants to quickly understand how to make IT outsourcing work."
Mary Lacity, Associate Professor of MIS, University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA
"Rob Aalders has provided a strong practical framework for going about IT outsourcing. Along the way he provides many insights into the do's and don'ts. The book draws upon considerable experience, and it shows. Clear and accessible, it's a real handbook for the practitioner."
Leslie Willcocks, Arthur Andersen Professor of Information Management and E-Business, Warwick Business School, UK