I find that in the realm of IT outsourcing, it's not uncommon for partners to cut corners to save costs. However, we must ensure they prioritize quality and adhere to agreed timelines. I try to articulate to vendors that "we as the customer do not compromise on standards because they can lead to long-term consequences that outweigh any short-term savings." It's essential to establish this clear expectation and maintain open communication with your vendors to ensure they deliver the quality you need. By fostering a collaborative relationship focused on excellence, we can achieve our project goals without sacrificing integrity. At the end of the day the vendor should know that if the quality doesn't meet expectations the job is not done!

There is so much to unpack here, and in most cases, it all starts badly and never fully recovers from the initial agreement, where both sides know the least about the future. The client wants a sense of predictability, to get a bargain, to protect their downside, and to limit future pressure from the CEO. The common-sense approach suggests fixing and deciding on everything upfront: scope, time, and cost Most outsourced partners just want to win. The entire relationship and partnership need to be rethought, focusing on creating an environment where both parties can win and, crucially, where the actual users of the future product can benefit. Quality is not just an aspect but a cornerstone of this win-win position, essential for success.

start by revisiting the service-level agreement (SLA) to reinforce the agreed-upon standards. In a similar situation, I introduced more frequent performance audits and provided detailed feedback after each deliverable, improving quality by 25%. Implement clear penalties for missed quality metrics and set up regular review meetings to hold the provider accountable.