The type and amount of knowledge you share with your contract manufacturers depends on several factors, such as the scope, complexity, and duration of your outsourcing project, the level of trust and maturity of your relationship, and the regulatory and contractual obligations you have. Generally speaking, there are four categories of knowledge you should consider sharing: technical knowledge (e.g. specifications, standards, methods, procedures, protocols, validation, testing, and troubleshooting related to products and processes), regulatory knowledge (laws, regulations, guidelines, authorities that apply to products and processes; documentation audits; inspections; reporting), business knowledge (strategic, operational, financial aspects of the project; objectives; milestones; deliverables; roles; responsibilities; communication; reporting; budget; payment), and cultural knowledge (values; norms; beliefs; behaviors that shape organizational culture).