Designing Success into Outsourced Pharmaceutical Projects at the Proposal Stage

Abstract

A well-written project scope or statement of work is the cornerstone for any outsourced work. An effective scope document is written from the perspective of both the sponsor and the provider. Understanding and defining this mutual perspective requires considerably more effort, discussion, and internal alignment at the sponsor than is often done. The work itself needs to be defined not only in the context of the specific project, but also in the context of the sponsor's overall project objectives, project management expectations, and commercial philosophy. A project for which these objectives and expectations are clearly stated in a Request for Proposal (RFP) is far more likely to lead to success than a project in which objectives and expectations are not clearly defined. This article outlines those factors that should be considered in developing scope and other aspects of the RFP, and offers suggestions for how this should be accomplished.