IT Leaders Can Strengthen Vendor Partnerships With Business-Aligned MSP Agreements, Says Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group's newly published research insights provide organizations with a structured approach to creating business-aligned managed service agreements. The blueprint highlights common challenges, such as misaligned objectives, unclear performance metrics, and inadequate risk management, that often hinder managed service provider (MSP) partnerships. By leveraging insights from this resource, IT leaders can define clear contract terms, establish strong governance structures, and ensure measurable outcomes.

TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Global research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group explains in a recently published resource that as organizations increasingly rely on managed service providers (MSPs) to improve efficiency and access specialized IT expertise, many struggle to develop service agreements that deliver sustained business value. Misaligned objectives, unclear performance metrics, and inadequate risk management often lead to inefficiencies, unexpected costs, and strained vendor relationships. To help organizations address these challenges, Info-Tech Research Group has recently published its research findings and guidance in a new blueprint, Ensure Business Alignment in Managed Service Agreements. This practical resource provides IT leaders with the tools, templates, and methodologies needed to structure service agreements that align with strategic goals, enhance vendor performance, and drive measurable business outcomes.

"Building a comprehensive, business-aligned managed service contract is not about reinventing the wheel but pursuing the right process rigorously," says Manish Jain, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Organizations must clearly define a provider's scope and role, implement a governance structure to monitor performance, and adopt a strategic approach that ensures transparency, accountability, and long-term success."

Info-Tech's research highlights the risks organizations face when outsourcing IT services without a structured vendor management framework. For example, many organizations lack a dedicated vendor management office (VMO), resulting in fragmented contract management, misaligned expectations, and ineffective service-level agreements (SLAs). The firm explains in the blueprint that without a formalized governance strategy, teams struggle to measure vendor performance, enforce accountability, and ensure that service agreements remain aligned with evolving business needs.

Info-Tech's Recommended Three-Phase Approach to Strengthening Service Agreements
To help IT leaders and their organizations develop business-aligned service agreements, Info-Tech's blueprint Ensure Business Alignment in Managed Service Agreements outlines a structured three-phase approach designed to improve transparency, cost control, and risk mitigation while strengthening vendor relationships:

• Phase 1: Define Business Objectives and Align the Engagement Model: Organizations need to assess their strategic goals and ensure that the engagement model and service scope reflect these objectives. Clearly defined expectations from the outset help prevent contract misalignment and inefficiencies.
  
  
• Phase 2: Establish SLAs, KPIs, and Governance for Performance Management: Service-level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) should be structured to align with business priorities and measured against clear performance benchmarks. A strong governance framework ensures continuous service optimization, accountability, and long-term value delivery.
  
  
• Phase 3: Validate Risk and Compliance Management: Effective contract management requires a proactive approach to risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. Organizations must assess disaster recovery plans (DRP), business continuity planning (BCP), and well-defined exit strategies to ensure contract flexibility and long-term stability.

By implementing the structured approach detailed in Info-Tech's blueprint, organizations can enhance contract visibility, reduce unforeseen expenses, and proactively manage IT-related risks. Strengthening vendor management capabilities further enables IT leaders to improve service quality, increase operational agility, and build more resilient partnerships with their managed service providers.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Manish Jain, an expert in tech strategies and vendor management, and access to the complete Ensure Business Alignment in Managed Service Agreements blueprint, please contact [email protected].

About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group