Mastering FSP: Secrets to Successful Biometrics Partnerships

Choosing to supplement your internal biometrics team via Functional Service Provision (FSP) offers numerous benefits, including long-term stability without the administrative burden of direct employment. However, building a successful partnership with your FSP provider requires careful planning and communication. Here are six key steps to consider:

1. Kick-Off Meeting: Initiate the partnership with a formal kick-off meeting for all key stakeholders. Here, take the time to review contract terms, identify risks, define required experience for the team, and establish timelines for monitoring metrics.

2. Communication: Foster trust and transparency through clear communication expectations, considering both formal guidelines and informal day-to-day interactions. Ensure alignment with common goals and values to facilitate open communication channels.

3. FSP Plan: Collaborate on developing a comprehensive staffing plan with your FSP provider. Clarify whether team members will be new hires, existing staff members, or a combination of both. Outline key experience requirements and agree on interviewing processes to ensure a suitable fit. Additionally, understand the process for scaling the team up or down as needed, including notice periods for changes.

4. Risk Mitigation Plan: Anticipate and address potential risks associated with the FSP relationship by developing a robust risk mitigation plan. Consider scenarios such as delays in team scaling, prolonged absences of team members, or geopolitical unrest if relevant to the partnership location.

5. Escalation Pathways and Governance: Establish clear pathways for addressing performance concerns and escalating issues within the partnership. Define governance structures, including team-level, operational-level, and executive steering committees, to ensure effective oversight and decision-making. Document the governance plan to maintain clarity and accountability.

6. KPIs and Metrics: Define measurable goals and performance metrics to evaluate the success of the partnership. Agree on metrics such as team retention, work quality, utilization, and satisfaction from both sides. Implement a feedback mechanism to continuously assess and improve the partnership.

By working through these key steps, you can set a strong foundation for a robust and successful relationship with your FSP partner, ensuring a productive and mutually beneficial collaboration, aligned towards shared goals.