Abstract
Outsourcing refers to the concept of delegating certain tasks to an
external team. It can be a differentiating factor that can aid an
organization gain a competitive advantage. Consultants can bring
valuable experience on domain knowledge, interdisciplinary applications,
and benefits from economies of scale. From ensuring effective use of
resources to venturing into uncharted sectors, outsourcing can have a
myriad of benefits for a project team. Similar to most business
processes, there is an inherent trade-off that needs to be made when
outsourcing. Risk management protocols are required when outsourcing, to
balance execution control and collaborate effectively. Within the scope
of IT projects, this research aims to survey the various methods of
strategic outsourcing and the contexts in which they operate. Further
sections attempt to analyze case studies based on the aforementioned
aspects. Based on the available literature, the research consolidates
best practices in outsourcing and presents recommendations on aligning
them with project goals. Finally, the potential concerns that need to be
addressed when trying to outsource activities are presented. Therefore,
the research to be done within this analysis will look to dissect
existing literature to assess current outsourcing practices.
Additionally, the research will look for reasons why outsourcing was/is
not as successful as it could be, as well as evaluate how outsourcing in
IT has changed with the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic.