What's the best way to explain your IT outsourcing plan to senior management?

1 Know your audience

Before you present your plan, you need to understand who you are talking to and what they care about. Senior managers may have different perspectives, goals, and concerns than you. For example, they may be more interested in the financial, legal, or reputational implications of outsourcing than the technical details. Research your audience and tailor your message to their needs and expectations. Use clear and simple language, avoid jargon and acronyms, and focus on the benefits and value of outsourcing.

2 Define the problem and the solution

One of the most important parts of your presentation is to explain why you need to outsource and how it will solve a specific problem or challenge. You need to show that you have done your homework and analyzed the current situation, the gaps, and the risks. You also need to present your outsourcing plan as the best solution among the available options. You need to demonstrate how outsourcing will help you achieve your objectives, such as reducing costs, increasing efficiency, enhancing quality, or gaining competitive advantage.

3 Provide evidence and examples

To support your claims and arguments, you need to provide evidence and examples that show the feasibility and effectiveness of your outsourcing plan. You can use data, statistics, benchmarks, case studies, testimonials, or best practices to illustrate your points and show the positive outcomes of outsourcing. You can also use visual aids, such as charts, graphs, diagrams, or images, to make your presentation more engaging and persuasive. However, be careful not to overload your audience with too much information or irrelevant details. Keep your evidence and examples relevant, concise, and credible.

4 Anticipate and address objections

One of the biggest challenges of presenting your outsourcing plan is to deal with potential objections or questions from senior management. You need to anticipate the common or likely concerns that they may have and prepare your responses in advance. For example, they may ask about the costs, quality, security, compliance, or control of outsourcing. You need to acknowledge their concerns and provide factual and logical answers that address their issues and alleviate their fears. You can also use positive framing, such as highlighting the opportunities, benefits, or solutions that outsourcing can offer.

5 Call to action

The last part of your presentation is to ask for a decision or approval from senior management. You need to summarize the main points of your outsourcing plan, restate the benefits and value, and emphasize the urgency and importance of taking action. You also need to provide clear and specific instructions on what you want them to do next, such as signing a contract, approving a budget, or giving feedback. You need to make it easy and compelling for them to say yes to your outsourcing plan.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?