Author: Claude Bird

If you’re reading this, chances are that your organization is already juggling a multitude of tasks, projects, and deliverables. With the increasing complexity of the business landscape, the question becomes: How can companies manage their growing portfolio of projects more effectively? The answer may surprise you, – Outsourcing Project Management. While it might seem counterintuitive to place such a critical part of your operations in the hands of an external entity, there are compelling reasons why this could be a strategic decision for your business.  Let’s take a quick look at some of the reasons why Outsourcing Project Management might make sense for your business.

Focus on Core Business Functions

I don’t think I would get much pushback when it comes to the need to allow our internal resources to focus on core business functions. That is to say, if my business is in Marketing, I would want to focus my resources and attention on Marketing activities. Outsourcing Project Management allows companies to devote more time and energy to areas that directly contribute to revenue generation, customer acquisition, and business expansion.  While advances in technology certainly aide in business growth, the implementation of technological capabilities would be delivered more effectively by Outsourcing to a company whose business is Project Management.

Specialized Skills and Expertise

In addition to being able to focus on your Core Business, companies also benefit from specialized Skills and Expertise that may not already be on their payroll. Outsourcing project management provides access to a pool of experts who specialize in project planning, execution, and evaluation. These professionals have a deep understanding of project methodologies, risk management, and quality assurance. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience that your internal team may not have. This results in more efficient project delivery, cost savings, and ultimately, a better return on your investment.

Cost-Efficiency

Outsourcing can help manage and reduce costs in several ways. It eliminates the need for extensive training or upskilling of in-house staff, thereby saving on training costs and reducing the downtime associated with such training. Also, since the outsourced project managers are not your employees, your company can save on costs associated with benefits, taxes, and overhead expenses.

Risk Management

Outsourced project management teams come with deep experience and tools to anticipate, evaluate, and manage potential project risks. These could range from timeline delays, budget overruns, or scope creep. By actively managing these risks, the outsourced project management team can increase the chances of project success.

Increased Flexibility and Scalability

Flexibility is a significant advantage of outsourcing. It enables your organization to adapt more efficiently to changes in the business environment or project requirements. You can upscale or downscale the project management resources as needed, without the long-term commitments of hiring full-time employees. This flexibility allows companies to remain agile, responding more effectively to market changes and customer demands.

Access to Latest Technology and Best Practices

Outsourcing partners invest in the latest project management tools and stay updated on best industry practices to stay competitive. This means your projects will benefit from the latest advancements and practices in project management without your company having to invest directly in acquiring these tools or training for them. Another cost-saving benefit.

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, the strategic use of resources can be the key differentiator between success and mediocrity. Outsourcing project management may seem like a bold step, but the benefits it brings in terms of cost savings, risk management, scalability, and access to specialized expertise make it a worthy consideration.

Remember, the aim isn’t to lose control over your projects but to gain more efficient management of them. Outsourcing project management is a strategic decision that, when done right, can bolster your operational efficiency and strategic goals. It’s about letting the experts do what they do best, so you can focus on what you do best – running your business.

Outsourcing project management can bring numerous benefits to a company, including reduced cost, reduced time to market, and staying true to the objectives, reduced scope creep. Here are some key reasons why outsourcing project management can be a good idea:

1. Expertise and specialization: One of the main advantages of outsourcing project management is that it allows companies to tap into specialized expertise and knowledge. Outsourcing firms typically have a team of experienced project managers who have a deep understanding of various industries and sectors. This can be particularly useful for companies working on complex projects that require specialized skills and knowledge.
2. Cost savings: Outsourcing project management can help companies save a significant amount of money. By outsourcing project management, companies can avoid the cost of hiring, training, and managing a team of in-house project managers. This can be especially beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources to hire and manage a full-time project management team.
3. Improved efficiency: Outsourcing project management can also improve efficiency as it allows companies to focus on their core business activities. By outsourcing project management, companies can free up time and resources that can be better utilized in other areas of the business. In addition, outsourcing firms typically have systems and processes in place to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, which can help to reduce the risk of delays and cost overruns.
4. Access to technology and tools: Outsourcing project management can also give companies access to the latest technology and tools, which can help to improve project efficiency and effectiveness. Many outsourcing firms invest in the latest project management software and tools, which can benefit companies that may not have the budget to invest in these tools themselves.
5. Flexibility: Outsourcing project management can also provide companies with greater flexibility. By outsourcing project management, companies can scale up or down their project management resources as needed, depending on the demands of the business. This can be particularly useful for companies that experience fluctuations in project demand or have unpredictable project schedules.
6. Improved quality: Outsourcing project management can also lead to improved project quality. Outsourcing firms typically have strict quality standards and processes to ensure that projects are completed to the highest standards. This can be especially beneficial for companies working on projects that require a high level of precision and attention to detail.

In conclusion, outsourcing project management can bring numerous benefits to a company, including access to specialized expertise and knowledge, cost savings, improved efficiency, technology and tools, flexibility, and improved quality. By outsourcing project management, companies can focus on their core business activities while leveraging the expertise of the outsourced project management team to deliver projects that further enhances their business outcomes.

About Columbia Advisory Group:
Columbia Advisory Group (CAG) is a leading Information Technology (IT) consulting firm. CAG’s team has assessed and helped improve the performance of more than 300 technology organizations and IT departments, including many higher education institutions, state agencies, and Fortune 50 customers. Practice specialty areas include Infrastructure, IT Service Management, Cybersecurity, and A/V Services. CAG improves business outcomes with IT insights and expert technical support. Based in Dallas, Texas, CAG works extensively with clients throughout the U.S. Contact us at info@columbiaadvisory.com.