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The Future of Outsourcing and IT Services

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New forces are reshaping the fundamentals of how providers deliver and sell IT services and how buyers consume them. New delivery models and methods are coming that will improve the quality, predictability and value of their offerings. This report provides insight and actionable advice that buyers, providers and investors can use to improve future outcomes.

Gartner VP Distinguished Analyst Linda Cohen discusses how IT outsourcing environments will deal with the globalization and virtualization of companies.

Is Negotiating Vendor Contracts One of Your Key Initiatives?

Key Initiatives organize Gartner's vast resources to help you achieve demonstrable business results efficiently and cost effectively.

The ability to negotiate vendor contracts effectively-getting the right products and services at the right price and with the right terms-is a crucial skill for IT organizations. IT leaders need to develop a disciplined negotiating process and advanced negotiating skills, so that the enterprise starts the process and engages negotiators early.

Gartner recommends that IT leaders take a three-stage approach to negotiating vendor contracts:

 
  1. Strategize and Plan

    Develop a calendar of key vendor contract renewals and new contract developments. Communicate contract requirements within the enterprise and develop a negotiating team. Define the expected outcomes and roles and responsibilities.

  2. Assess Competencies

    Collect and review the best practices for negotiating vendor contracts.

  3. Operate and Evolve

    Staff and manage the negotiating team. Negotiate contract terms and conditions. Review operating processes, measure success and refine processes.