One way to start transitioning a vertical integrating culture into an outsourcing culture is to start by outsourcing projects that are less strategic and interesting for engineers like late lifecycle changes, and other end of life support engineering projects. Benchmarking is good for learning, not for copying. Just as local optimization will not improve the performance of the entire system, neither will benchmarking if there is no alignment. It is best to study the benchmarks and learn why they worked. Then find best practices that align processes, people and strategy.
Success attracts competitors and complacency - stay focused to stay in the growth phase.
Web collaboration seems to be in the early adopter phase getting ready for jump to prime time. Wise companies should get on board or be left behind. Copyright 2000 by Management Roundtable, Inc.