Whether you’ve recently signed a contract with a Managed Services Provider (MSP) or are in the process of evaluating potential partners, you’re on the path to transforming your organization’s workforce management. Implementing an MSP program to support your organization’s workforce management processes is a substantial decision that can deliver significant value when thoughtfully planned and executed. Before signing a contract with an MSP, your organization likely completed a thorough selection process, including Requests for Proposal (RFPs), provider evaluations, and contract negotiations. Now that your organization has invested valuable time and effort into the selection process and contract signing, it's helpful to be well-prepared to collaborate with your MSP in order to build and implement the program. By taking the initiative to understand the early stages of your program, you will be equipped for a successful implementation.
In this blog, we’ll focus on the first 90 days after contract execution and provide an outline of what you should expect to happen during that pivotal period.
Once your contract is signed, a dedicated project team will be assigned to assess your organization’s current state, identify the gaps that prompted your search for an MSP provider, and work with you to design a program focused on attracting best-in-class talent at a fair market price that will be managed by your MSP team.
With DZConneX (DZX) as your MSP partner, the program will be uniquely customized to your workforce needs, and a custom timeline will be built. Implementation approaches are typically determined by the technological maturity of the program that will be implemented. As we begin to build out your program, we will keep three things in mind: people, process, and technology.
The above provides core elements of a DZX-managed program and the pillars that guide our approach– now let’s get into some specifics.
Our implementation model follows a five-phased approach. Here’s what you can expect during the first three phases, which cover the initial 90 days after contract signing.
The Discovery phase kicks off immediately after contract signing. This stage is all about getting to know your organization on a deeper level – it’s a time to ensure that all key stakeholders are involved and that foundational data is collected to guide program development and address all stakeholder concerns.
Some key activities during this phase include establishing a relationship matrix to ensure all stakeholders have a seat at the table and to ultimately assign each individual a role in the program. A dedicated implementation team will also be assigned to collaborate with your executive sponsor and project manager.
One of the most crucial components of the Discovery phase is the customer discovery questionnaire, a document that your MSP’s project team will work directly with your organization to complete. The questions are designed to capture critical information, including:
By the end of the Discovery phase, your dedicated project team will have a clear understanding of your current workforce operations, preparing them for the upcoming Design phase.
What will your MSP program look like, and how will it support your unique workforce needs? These questions are answered during the Design phase, where strategic planning and blueprinting of your future-state program begins. Your MSP will work closely with the chosen Vendor Management System (VMS) throughout this stage, ensuring technology is a priority from the start, as it plays a critical role in a successful implementation.
After your MSP conducts an official project kick-off meeting with your VMS, several future-state workshops will be held. These sessions are designed to thoroughly assess your current environment, gather the detailed information needed for program development, identify any gaps, and collaboratively shape your future processes. Key stakeholders from your organization will need to participate in these workshops to ensure their input is reflected throughout the design. Your MSP project team will provide best-practice recommendations and structure sessions efficiently, allowing your representatives to stay focused on their core responsibilities without getting overwhelmed by implementation activities.
Upon completion of the future-state design, you will be provided with a custom program blueprint that outlines your new contingent workforce solution. You will also be presented with a detailed project plan, including a mutually agreed-upon go-live date and a change management strategy.
Additionally, the supplier adoption process and negotiations with your current suppliers will start during this phase. Your organization will sign off on the program blueprint, project plan, go-live date, and change management strategy to conclude the Design phase.
For the remainder of the first 90 days (and in some cases, slightly longer), the program Development phase will occur. This is where practical execution begins, with key activities including:
By the end of the Development phase, your organization will have a fully configured MSP program, ready for final implementation and go-live.
Now that you know what to expect during the first 90 days of your MSP program, you can see how a strong foundation is built through structured planning, collaboration, and system setup. By progressing through the Discovery, Design, and Development phases, your organization is positioned for a smooth transition to an optimized workforce management solution.
At DZX, we've successfully leveraged this MSP implementation structure to deliver strategic workforce solutions tailored to our customers' unique needs. We pride ourselves on being a reliable long-term MSP partner, bringing a solid blend of expertise, customization, and support that stands out from the competition.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore what happens over the next 90 days of your program, including a breakdown of phases 4 and 5 (Deployment and Hyper-Care) of the implementation process.