Use nine gates to buy MSP outsourcing: readiness, scope, shortlist, due diligence, commercial review, pilot, transition, quality and exit. Each stage needs an owner and a written result before you proceed. Use one copy per candidate for NOC, help desk, white-label or after-hours work.
Both files contain all 35 checkpoints, with space for your sources, dates, decisions and open questions. Downloads are blank; they do not contain checkmarks entered in this tab.
Copy or download all 35 checkpoints with your current checkmarks. These status copies are separate from the blank worksheets above.
Checkmarks stay only in this tab. Copy or download a status copy to keep them. The Word and blank Markdown worksheets contain no checkmarks.
Mark a checkpoint complete when its required document, test result or decision exists. For example, keep the completed security questionnaire and its date alongside the candidate's proposal.
Keep one copy per candidate, with the source and date for each material answer. Leave unanswered questions open until their owner supplies the required document or decision.
How the gates work
Each gate lists the document, result or decision needed to close its checkpoints and the role that owns it. Adapt the owner, service manager, senior technician and finance roles to your team. Open one gate at a time and keep the supporting documents with the proposal.
Agree exit conditions before signing; return to the final gate when leaving the service.
Evidence decision rule
For each material claim collected above, classify the evidence: verified (independent supporting evidence or your own scoped test), vendor-stated, third-party observation or unknown. A candidate passes initial review only when every critical requirement has a cited answer or an explicit open question with an assigned owner. Do not convert unknowns into assumptions at any gate.
Copy the checklist
Download the blank Word or Markdown checklist (all 35 checkpoints) from the top of the interactive checklist. A compact nine-gate summary remains available below the gates. Print the page to keep the checkmarks entered in this tab; No registration is required.
Example procurement decisions. Preserve the original failed or held decision when a later correction is accepted. Export your checklist and document source, date, reviewer and next action in the evidence log. Use the SLA scorecard, quote comparison and transition plan for the related gates.