Functional Service Provision (FSP) is a targeted outsourcing model used in various STEM sectors, including across the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device manufacturing industries.
Unlike full-service outsourcing models, which involve entire projects being assigned to a Contract Research Organisation (CRO), an FSP enables companies to outsource specific functions and tasks to specialists whilst retaining and maintaining control over the overall project and work towards their desired outcomes.
Impellam Project Services’ FSP solutions are driven by a team of scientific experts who provide specialised services, expertise, and resources to meet the specific requirements and goals of our clients, which enables the people within their organisation and teams to concentrate on the core objectives at the heart of their overarching strategies.
What are the benefits of an FSP?
For many scientific organisations, choosing specialists such as Impellam Project Services to outsource specific projects and services to via a Functional Service Provision can prove to be a highly efficient, cost-effective way of achieving their objectives and targets.
An FSP can be particularly beneficial for teams operating under stringent time and budget constraints or are lacking the specialised skills and knowledge required to get optimum results from their projects and ways of working.
There are several benefits of an FSP and its functions, including:
- Specific Functional Services: An organisation can outsource specific services through an FSP and utilise a targeted approach to applying specialised expertise to functions within their teams and projects – without relinquishing overall control, or within areas where assistance isn’t required.
- Flexibility and Control: At the heart of an FSP is its flexibility. To suit the needs of a company, their projects and resources, the solution can be tailored to match. And, even whilst benefitting from outsourced expertise provided by specialist teams, control is always maintained by the company.
- Cost Efficiency: An FSP approach reduces costs compared to full-service outsourcing, as it allows for more efficient allocation of resources. Outsourcing specific functions and tasks enables companies to manage their project budgets more effectively and potentially result in a stronger return on investment.
- Expertise and Specialisation: Being able to hand management of specific functions to experts can enable a more tailored, targeted approach and produce high-quality services and results. Working with a specialist Scientific Functional Service Provision team such as Impellam Project Services ensures that each aspect of the project is handled by experts in specific fields, leading to better outcomes delivered with precision and accuracy.
- Risk Mitigation: Outsourcing specific functions to scientific experts can help mitigate risks associated with tasks and projects, as they have the experience and knowledge to handle complex activities efficiently and effectively.
Exploring the Evolution and Potential of FSP
As the requirements and demands of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries have evolved, so have Functional Service Provision (FSP) models in their ability to meet such requirements.
In the past, companies outsourced entire projects to a single Contract Research Organisation (CRO), but this method lacked flexibility and specialisation – elements that the emergence and development of FSP has focused on enabling, whilst also ensuring companies retain overall control of their projects.
A Functional Service Provision offers access to the expertise and experience of scientific specialists, along with potential cost savings and risk mitigation. Additionally, by outsourcing specific functions through an FSP, companies may facilitate faster developments and breakthroughs, which could not only have significant impacts within organisations, their wider industries and the scientific community, but far beyond too.
Our Functional Service Provision process at Impellam Project Services
At Impellam Project Services, we specialise in delivering technology, engineering, and scientific projects through Statement of Work (SoW) engagements. For all our services and solutions, including our Functional Service Provision, our approach ensures that clients receive best-in-class expertise, project governance, and outcome accountability.
1. Understanding the challenge: We analyse the client’s needs, objectives, and pain points.
2. Defining the scope: We use the SoW to clearly outline the project scope and establish measurable outcomes.
3. Assembling the team: We ensure effective identification and deployment of the right team with the necessary blend of skills and experience.to deliver against the agreed scope.
4. Managing the delivery: We take full responsibility for execution and risk management.
5. Measuring success: We track progress against agreed deliverables or milestones and ensure alignment with business goals.
Throughout the engagement, we maintain full transparency, providing clear reporting and performance metrics.
Key questions we address in an FSP agreement
Every SoW is customised to So we can create the right solution to meet our clients’ unique business needs, we customise every SoW. As part of the meticulous planning involved with every project, we ask:
Scope: What are your desired outcomes?
Deliverables: What tangible results will we provide?
Acceptance Criteria: How will success be measured?
Dependencies: What support is needed from your organisation?
Timeline and Milestones: When will the work be completed or this an ongoing need?
Team Composition: Who will be involved in delivering the project?
Governance: How will the project be managed?
Commercial Model: What are the costs and payment terms?
Working with Impellam Project Services’ Scientific Experts
Impellam Project Services’ dedicated scientific experts are specialists in scientific functional service provision, who have extensive experience of partnering with laboratories across the globe to help them ‘break free’ from operational constraints and ‘break through’ in science.
We work closely and collaboratively with our clients, creating tailored solutions that aim to add value and enhance business efficiency. We highly value our teams who are integral to the success of our solutions and we ensure that not only are we managing and supporting them, we are also identifying training opportunities for them to upskill and develop which not only helps them stay engaged and motivated but also promotes business continuity. Our programme of Continuous Improvement run by our in-house expert ensures we have productivity and efficiency at the heart of every solution.
If you’re looking to streamline your scientific projects and strengthen them with dedicated expertise, and improve efficiency and reduce costs – all whilst maintaining control over your projects and objectives – contact Impellam Project Services today.