In fact, every activity, process or unit can be outsourced. What you would like to outsource is dependent on the organisation strategy and the strategic environment you operate. Think about the different advantages or disadvantages of outsourcing.

If you like to outsource you should question yourself the following things:

1. Is it a standardised products / services?
2. Is it a tailor made products or services?

Both type of products and services are suitable for outsourcing. The most important aspect in outsourcing is good communications between you and your provider on your sourcing requirements and needs. Clear, proper and understandable establishment of the business requirements are essential in outsourcing. In case of standardised products the communication process is less intensive compared to tailor made solutions, which are more complex. Therefore in tailor made solutions prototyping or pilot projects are common practices. Moreover a clear-structured stepwise solution in a project management approach enables development.

Because of the intensity of communication in tailor made solutions, and the risk of miscommunications in offshore outsourcing, it would be advisable to work with a nearshore or onshore model of outsourcing. But this is of course not a requirement.