Editor's Note:  This post is based on an article at the Shared Services & Outsourcing Network by Canda Rozier, Principal and Owner of Canda S Rozier, LLC.  It's an excellent article and well worth your time to read it in its entirety.

10 Tips for Better Outsourcing Contracts

1) Do your due diligence upfront

2) Define detailed Service Level Agreements

3) Have the outsource provider 'put skin in the game' 

4) Outsource tasks, not authority

5) Communicate, communicate!

6) Define escalation procedures

7) Embrace change management

8) Define exit provisions 

9) Require the vendor to provide transition assistance

10) Have a fall back plan