IT outsourcing lifecycle

The outsourcing lifecycle framework is an imperative tool for practitioners. There are two common models for outsourcing lifecycle, one by Cullen et al. (2005) and one by US General Accounting Office (2001) (GAO). This post will explain each model, compare and contrast them.

 

First, we can see that the two models are very straight-forward and similar.

Figure 1: Outsourcing model by Cullen et al. (2005)

 

Figure 2: Outsourcing model by US General Accounting Office (2001)

However, the model developed by Cullen et al. (2005) appears to pay more attention to the final stage of evaluation and refreshment of the venture. In other words, it appears to be focusing on the different options that can be pursued by the client firm (backsourcing, renegotiating, or re-tendering), and provides illustrations of the different routes that the organization may follow according to this decision.

Reference

Cullen, S., Seddon, P. and Willcocks, L.P. (2005), “Managing outsourcing: The lifecycle imperative,” MIS Quarterly Executive4(1): 229–246

Government Accounting Office Report (2001), “Leading commercial practices for outsourcing of services,” http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d02214.pdf. Last accessed 2.17.2009.