Multi-Sourcing

For many organisations, no single provider can meet all IT needs which makes multi sourcing an attractive model.

But success depends on coordination, clarity of roles, and strong contractual frameworks that keep multiple suppliers aligned to shared goals.

Our IT lawyers help clients design and manage multi-sourced environments that are commercially efficient, operationally resilient, and legally sound.

Some areas to be aware of when contracting for multi-sourcing:

Specification vs requirements    
See our detailed breakdown on the importance of specification vs requirements. 

Roles & responsibilities    
Each provider must have clearly defined responsibilities, including how they interface with other suppliers. Avoiding ambiguity reduces finger-pointing and ensures coordinated delivery.

Onboarding & offboarding    
Transitioning between suppliers — or bringing in new ones — should be supported by defined onboarding and exit plans. These should include obligations to cooperate, transfer knowledge, and minimise disruption.

Dispute resolution    
With multiple suppliers, disputes can be more complex. A tiered resolution process (informal → formal → arbitration/litigation) and multi-party escalation paths are important (see IT disputes).

Change management across suppliers    
Change in one supplier’s service may impact others. Change control procedures should accommodate cross-supplier dependencies and ensure visibility across the whole model.