Worksheet: Write the reason for each support activity

Sourcing often gets decided when a contract expires or a key person leaves. This sheet writes down why each support activity is in-house, shared or bought, before that day comes. It builds the Competent step of the check:

For each support activity (payroll, IT, logistics, bookkeeping) there is a stated reason it is in-house, shared or bought.

Step 1. Place each activity

Two questions place most activities. How critical is it to how you win? And are there many good providers?

Activity	In-house, shared or bought now	Critical or supporting	Many good providers?	What the two answers suggest
e.g. Payroll	In-house	Supporting	Yes	Buy

Critical with few providers: keep in-house. Supporting with many providers: buy. The other two corners need a judgement, written down.

Step 2. Write the reason

Activity	Decision	Reason	For anything bought: our person who answers for its value	For anything in-house by habit: price of the alternative

Step 3. Set the review dates

Activity	Contract end or review date	Who reviews it

Done when: every support activity has a written reason for being in-house, shared or bought.

Adapted from our own future-state operating model (PJP, 2018).