Click the Wizard
That’s the name of a new program we’ve integrated into the Just Outsourcing directory. You might have noticed it.
This new Click the Wizard program condenses an unbelievable amount of outsourcing guidance into a simple 19-question “Yes” or “No” flowchart of relevant tasks. It’s designed for those who need a general overview of proper steps prior to taking the outsourcing plunge.
Issues addressed include project definition and permissions, work processes, outsourcing costs and models, payment methods, bid drafts, provider selection, bid responses and evaluation, RFP requests, transition, and of course, outsourcing metrics.
The end result, sent through email(step-by-step screenshots/example print out), is a personalized outsourcing plan based on the wizard’s input, complete with relevant documents, advice, plus a list of recommended service providers.
Why the Wizard?
Though the program is admittedly in its infancy, we think it injects some critical stop points that inexperienced outsourcers often gloss over or simply disregard. Online outsourcing can produce results very quickly, which is what makes it attractive, however, that very same quality is what can produce undesirable results – especially when key areas aren’t given the consideration they deserve. So the wizard forces outsourcers to think about issues that could negatively affect the outcome of an outsourced project.
An example is when someone mistakenly thinks s/he has permission to outsource something that should never, ever be delegated over the Internet. Another example is when a person outsources something “that everyone else outsources,” but then later discovers that “something” is illegal or against a site’s terms of service. This wizard prompts outsourcers to weigh similar issues before investing large amounts of time and money into a failed mission.
How to Use
Using the wizard is easy. First, it’s free, so there’s no complicated payment process to wade through. Second, it operates via push-button interaction. Simply submit your email address so the program can send the completed report to the correct person. Then answer each question with the appropriate button (“Yes,” “No,” or sometimes, “I don’t know.”)
The entire process takes about 5 minutes, and submitted information is kept private. The program does not send additional emails or follow up messages, nor does it share any information. Submitted information is deleted from the server as soon as the wizard is finished.
