Human Resources has evolved in the past four decades from serving as an organization's record keeper or policy enforcer to strategic partner and change agent. Outsourcing is fast becoming a fact of life for all HR professionals, regardless of whether his or her department has decided to outsource services or functions — outsourcing is about people supply, and HR is in the people supply business. This book will help lay the foundation for a successful external service provider partnership. By following a few tried and true processes, professionals can be confident that their service provider selection will result in a successful long-term relationship.

1: Determining Whether an Organization Should Outsource 1

2: What to Outsource 7

3: Building the Team 15

4: Building the Business Case 19

5: Determining if an RFI Is Needed 25

6: Drafting an RFP 33

7: Sample RFP 45

8: Judging the Responses 63

9: The Onsite Visit 69

10: Making the Decision 73

11: The Next Step 87