Outsourcing for the Therapeutic Products Industry

This is a two-day course for people who need to understand the fundamentals of outsourcing services for Research and Development functions or who are responsible for outsourcing services in support of biotech and pharmaceutical company infrastructure. The course is ideally suited to project managers, clinical operations staff and line managers with technical or managerial responsibilities in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Learning Objectives:

During and upon completion of this course, you will be able to;

• Understand the difference between outsourcing and off-shoring
• Review recent data on the success of outsourcing initiatives in various industries
• Determine your need for outsourcing
• Utilize decision models to identify the appropriate processes to outsource
• Identify the cost drivers underlying your decision to outsource
• Identify the appropriate vendor to work with
• Structure and negotiate a strong contract
• Manage and maintain control of the outsourcing process
• Build a team to manage your vendor and your process
• Minimize the risks associated with outsourcing
• Recognize outsourcing hurdles and identify how to overcome them
• Take action when things do go ‘off-course’
• Balance the needs of all stakeholders

Course Description

This course presents a step-by-step guide for attendees who are considering or may already be outsourcing some portion of their work processes or departments. The course provides practical advice and a variety of tools that attendees can utilize to create, manage or troubleshoot their outsourcing efforts. In-class case studies underscore the important points and help attendees practice what they have learned before they return to the workplace and apply their knowledge in the real-life situation.

________________________________________

COURSE AGENDA

DAY ONE

Introduction and Course Overview

• Brief overview of the course and logistics
• Short history of outsourcing
• Recent data supporting outsourcing initiatives
• Why do companies outsource?

Identifying and Selecting the Outsourcing Opportunity

• Implementing a process to identify outsourcing candidates
• Establishing an Analysis Team
• Identifying what to analyze
• Establishing performance metrics
• Build your business case to management

Identifying the Vendor

• Evaluating potential suppliers in a systematic way
• Establishing a Selection team
• Recognize the criteria for selection
• Key Legal issues and managing the contract development

Managing the Vendor

• Personnel, Language and Cultural Issues
• Building your Management Team
• Managing the relationship
• Data collection, financial reporting, controls – how should this be handled?
• Performance Measurements

DAY TWO

Harvard Business Review Case Study Discussion

• Review Case Study assigned for homework – key points
• What should have or could have been done differently?
• What was the desired outcome?
• Apply these principles to an existing outsourcing issue in your organization
 Group breakouts for learning
• Share group learnings

Hurdles in Outsourcing and How to Overcome Them

• Ethical Issues
• Scope Creep
• Executive Buy-in
• Critical Data and Organizational Knowledge Loss
• Security and Back-up Systems

Discussion of Outsourced Functions (Examples)

• The overview
 Advantages/Disadvantages
 Contract Specific Issues
 Transition Issues
 Management Issues
• For Customer Service
• For Manufacturing
• For Complete Functional Areas

Exiting Your Outsourced Venture and Developing Strategies for the Future

• Why Exit? For Cause or Convenience?
• Tools to “Get Out”
• Understanding the Global Economy and the Impact on your Business
• Flexibility and Openness to Change