This Viewpoint provides a structured framework for retained organizations to manage outsourcing partnerships effectively. As enterprises increasingly rely on third-party providers to achieve scale, efficiency, and access to specialized expertise, internal oversight teams must ensure that provider relationships remain aligned with business objectives and deliver long-term value. The report focuses on how retained organizations can design and implement robust governance structures, define clear roles and responsibilities, and apply performance monitoring mechanisms. It addresses key areas such as contract oversight, service-level adherence, escalation protocols, compliance management, and transition planning. A real-world case example illustrates how a leading enterprise successfully applied a three-tier governance model and engagement cadence to resolve challenges, strengthen accountability, and improve outcomes. This guide supports sourcing, vendor management, and operational leaders in strengthening internal capabilities to manage outsourcing environments with clarity, consistency, and a strategic focus.

Procurement leaders today face multifaceted challenges marked by macroeconomic uncertainties, geopolitical turmoil, evolving regulations, cost pressures, and supply chain volatility. Amid these challenges, they are expected to optimize savings, manage supplier risks, ensure compliance, and meet sustainability goals – all while constrained by fragmented, reactive legacy systems. These legacy procurement systems fall short, often leading to reactive decisions, poor visibility, compliance lapses, and operational inefficiencies. This Viewpoint introduces Systems of Execution (SoE) as the next evolution for procurement: an intelligent, autonomous decision-execution framework orchestrating AI agents and operating seamlessly across the Source-to-Pay (S2P) value chain. By overlaying and embedding SoE capabilities into existing systems, procurement organizations can shift from static, reactive processes to dynamic, proactive workflows, enabling an intelligent, autonomous, agile, and execution-oriented procurement ecosystem. Scope All industries and geographies Contents In this report, we explore: SoE-led procurement transformation Functional transformation across the S2P value chain An implementation roadmap for procurement Strategic considerations for chief procurement officers

The Retail, Consumer Packaged Goods, and Manufacturing (RCM) industry stands on the cusp of a shift to a marketplace model, marked by overwhelming product choices and brand interaction channels. Notably, the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the way stakeholders – both external (consumers) and internal (employees, partners) – transact on a daily basis and evolved RCM enterprises’ experience management practices. Enterprises can no longer rely on traditional methods and business models to meet evolving consumer expectations. Enterprises are also viewing experience design as a key element of a sustainable growth strategy. To make the required shift in delivering a superior stakeholder experience, enterprises are embracing emerging technologies, along with new operating models and ways of working, to enable an iterative cycle that facilitates transformation at scale. In this viewpoint, we explore how RCM enterprises can embrace digital to deliver memorable experiences focused on human-centered design. Scope Industry: RCM Geography: global Contents In this viewpoint, we examine: The evolving experience landscape for RCM enterprises Experience design adoption across industries Benefits of experience design RCM enterprises’ adoption of next-generation operating models – the shift from customer experience to stakeholder experience The future of experience framework Membership(s) Digital Services Sourcing and Vendor Management

The travel, transportation, logistics, and hospitality industry was among the most severely impacted industries during the pandemic. In the next 18 to 24 months, it is expected to experience a slow, staggered, and phased recovery. The key reason for this sluggish recovery is a prodigious change in consumer behavior and consumer expectations. Most enterprises face technology or strategic deterrence in dealing with rapidly evolving consumer needs, and they need to transform their legacy systems to fulfill the changing customer needs in a post-COVID-19 landscape. This viewpoint explores enterprises’ need to modernize legacy IT systems and adopt cloud-centric business strategies to stay relevant, resilient, and agile. We also explore the key considerations for effective core modernization and cloud adoption by outlining the top challenges that enterprises face with these initiatives and recommending an execution strategy. Scope Industry: travel, transportation, logistics, and hospitality Geography: global Contents In this viewpoint, we discuss: The need for core modernization and migration to cloud-based operating models Enterprise objectives from core modernization investments ‒ by industry Typical methods that enterprises adopt for core modernization Why cloud adoption is a fundamental building block for core modernization Key considerations for effective core modernization and cloud adoption – challenges and takeaways for enterprises Everest Group’s execution framework for effective core modernization and cloud adoption Membership(s) Digital Services Sourcing and Vendor Management

This report is available only to Strategic Outsourcing & Vendor Management members. For information on membership or purchase, please contact us Everest Group publishes executive briefs for senior executives from enterprises. These briefs address hot industry topics and particularly challenging issues of the day in an easy to digest format. In this executive brief Everest Group analysts share strategic thinking around planning a technology strategy for the source to pay process. The brief covers considerations for selecting the right combination of solutions, appropriate focus areas at various levels of maturity, and steps for successfully managing a hybrid portfolio of providers.

This report is available only to Strategic Outsourcing & Vendor Management members. For information on membership or purchase, please contact us Everest Group publishes executive briefs for senior executives from enterprises. These briefs address hot industry topics and particularly challenging issues of the day in an easy to digest format. In this executive brief Everest Group analysts cover the implications of a shift to an Agile IT model. Impacted factors such as pricing models, metrics, and contract terms are discussed.