Business process outsourcing (BPO)
Business process outsourcing (BPO) involves the contracting of non-primary business activities and functions to a third-party service provider. Typical BPO services include internal business functions such as the handling of payroll, human resources, and accounting; and customer-related services such as customer interfacing.
BPO can be referred to by different terms related to the specific nature of the outsourcing. Common terms include: information technology enabled services (ITES) for IT-based processes, knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), legal process outsourcing (LPO), engineering process outsourcing (EPO).
In the construction industry, companies can use BPO for various activities, including:
- IT services.
- CAD and BIM.
- Human resources and administration.
- Finance and accounting.
- Security.
- Facilities management.
- Project management.
- Structural design.
- Document management.
- Marketing and communications.
- Concept design.
- Detail engineering.
- Energy modelling and audits.
- Landscape design.
The primary advantage of BPO is the added flexibility that it offers a company. Since most BPO providers offer services on fee-for-service bases, a company can transform fixed into variable costs. By doing so, a company can be more flexible in responding to changes due to required capacity and workload, and therefore don’t need to invest in particular assets. By being relieved of certain activities, a company is able to focus on its core competencies, forward planning, and enhance value chain engagement.
However, there are some risks attached to BPO which can include an over-dependence on service providers, underestimated running costs, and the danger of data privacy breaches.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BS EN 15221.
- Business administration.
- Business model.
- Construction organisation design.
- Construction organisations and strategy.
- Corporate finance.
- Funding options.
- Hard facilities management.
- Human resource management in construction.
- Insourcing.
- Joint venture.
- Outsourcing playbook.
- Partnering.
- Site administrator.
- Soft facilities management.
- Subcontractor.
- Types of construction organisation.
- Vendor Managed Inventory VMI.
- Vested outsourcing.
- Working with landscape maintenance contractors.
Featured articles and news
Heritage on the edge?
Prioritising tax considerations.
Reviewing the Double Diamond Design model
The four D creative process: discover, define, develop and deliver.
National Cyber Security Centre initiative is announced.
The impact of COVID-19 on global HVAC&R markets
Reviewing trends and projections.
Legislation will establish initiatives to move towards net zero.
Status determination statement
How to document contractor employment status.
Social distancing goes high tech
Tech tools to help manage people and space post-pandemic.
Eclectic Edwardian architecture
A style that ranges from mock Tudor to arts and crafts to the 'Wrenaissance'.
Free guide from Secured by Design.
Building Back Better: Circularity
BREEAM strategy for sustainability and the circular economy.
Free tool to improve the construction programming process.
Building services verification
Are buildings doing what they're supposed to be doing?
Cities with quick access to everything by foot or bike.