• Always conduct a full-scale RFP process in selecting an IT technology partner. If your company has business units that provide IT services, stand firm on insisting that these business units participate in the RFP process just like an external organization.

• Maintain a line of strong internal full time IT Leaders responsible for setting IT strategy and managing the day to day activities of the technology partnership. The IT leaders should report directly into the CIO office.

• If the potential partnership involves the transfer of key internal employees to the external IT partner, identify and document in the contract “key personnel” who will continuously remain active on your company’s account unless otherwise specified.

• Clearly define and document your security and intellectual property protection requirements with the IT outsourcing partner.

• Specify that the internal IT organization is responsible for the management of all services provided by the IT outsourcing partner. The CIO should insure that a set of primary points of contact exist for all current or future service activities of the IT partner.

• Once an IT outsourcing partnership begins, be diligent in monitoring the performance of the partner. Ensure that agreed-to service levels and/or specific projects are being achieved. Recognize partnerships achievements as well areas for improvement when expectations of the relationship are not being met.

Fellow CIOs, please stay the course on this one. It will guarantee a winning outcome in building the most nimble, versatile, and cost-effective IT organizations that successful companies will insist it must have to thrive.