Many companies choose to follow the outsourcing route, dealing daily with an array of contractors. The main reasons for using
contractors vary from the need for specialised expertise to supplementing an undersised work force.
Although the use of contractors has various advantages, there can be multiple difficulties that lead to disruptive and expensive
operations. The key to a successful client and contractor partnership is a suitable process and best practices supported
by the effective management of a comprehensive Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Pragma is involved with the full spectrum of contractor management. Once the required contractors have been sourced, evaluated and inducted, the next phase is contractor management. Contractor performance is measured continuously and monthly reports on their performance compared to their agreed targets are provided. A structured process is used to manage contractor underperformance.
Contractor suitability (which includes rates and geographical factors) is also regularly evaluated to determine whether the most suitable contractors are being used at each client site.
From our experience, business partnership, such as outsourced services can be difficult to manage when they are not correctly contracted from the start. Proper service level agreements can help to eliminate performance issues, but there are a host of other challenges that must be addressed to secure a trusting win-win relationship. If you are unable to give a positive response to the questions below, you need to seek help with the management of your service providers:
Well managed outsourcing has many benefits. Through the years we have managed to consitently render the following benefits to our clients:
Contractor requirements are determined according to industry, type of assets and type of work necessary. We follow a strict and documented process of contractor recruitment, evaluation, appointment, training and do ongoing performance assessments. To ensure that our clients are satisfied with our selection, we involve them in the final stages of the evaluation process to give final approval before the contractor is appointed. As the appointed asset management service provider, we sign the agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with each contractor with an annual review thereafter.
We provide induction training to ensure that the contractor understands the client’s operation and asset management requirements. To maintain high levels of service delivery, the contractor’s performance is managed continuously and we also review the contractor’s suitability to still perform the work.
Pragma’s On Key Maintenance Manager, Work Manager App and Insights is the ideal toolset to manage and analyse the progress of work performed by contractors. Features of the toolset include:
If you are considering to partially or fully outsource your asset management services you can speak to us for advice or to partner with you to manage your contractors. Call us today.