Getting It Right from the Start: Best Practices for Launching Your First MSP Program 

Implementing a managed service provider (MSP) program for the first time is a major milestone for any organization. The promise of cost savings, improved compliance and better visibility into your external workforce is real — but only if the program is designed with intention, aligned with your culture and configured to solve your specific problems.  

At Allegis Global Solutions, we’ve seen many companies underestimate the complexity of getting it right. They know there’s value in an MSP, but they don’t always realize how much the details matter. In fact, we’ve implemented more than 160 first-generation MSP programs, equipping us with hands-on expertise to anticipate challenges and ensure success from day one. The good news? Being strategic and intentional doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to be thoughtful.  

Start with Strategy, Not Just Structure  

Before you think about initiating a request for proposal (RFP), ask yourself, “What problem are we trying to solve?”  

Too often, companies issue an RFP — or worse, jump into implementation — before they’ve taken the time to understand their current state, define their goals and assess the right scope of their solution. In our recent work, we've emphasized the importance of client readiness, thoroughly evaluating scope, defining external worker categories and developing a robust supply chain or sourcing strategy. Overlooking these critical areas can lead to misaligned expectations — both for your personal and program goals — lack of adoption and inappropriate pricing models.  

A successful MSP program starts with a deep discovery process — one that surfaces pain points, identifies opportunities and aligns stakeholders around a shared vision. 

Build a Program That’s Fit for Purpose  

A well-designed MSP program isn’t just a “copy and paste” of your current processes. It’s a thoughtful solution that includes:  

• A governance model with strong executive sponsorship  

• A clear understanding of what battles you’re willing to fight — or not — to achieve your goals  

• A user experience that’s intuitive, integrated and streamlined 

We help clients design programs that are effective and easy to adopt — because adoption is where real value lives. 

Adoption issues usually stem from one of the following:  

1. Lack of clarity on the program’s purpose  
2. Minimal or no executive sponsorship  
3. Poor (or lack of) understanding of the solution and how to engage  

To ensure adoption, we help clients align their goals, engage leadership and secure sponsorship, as well as configure the solution to ensure it’s fit for purpose. You can always course-correct — but it’s always better to get it right the first time.  

Balance Standardization with Flexibility  

Global organizations often struggle to balance consistency with local needs. Our approach?  

Create a framework based on global commonalities — for reporting, compliance and governance — while allowing for regional or business unit-specific nuances in areas like approvals, onboarding and supplier engagement. This ensures both control and adaptability. AGS has found that it is critical to have multiple models available to meet varying needs.  

Additionally, ensure the solution is of value and fit for purpose by evaluating the return on investment (ROI) for each local region against the cost and complexity. This approach recognizes that not every region should look the exact same, tailoring solutions to deliver optimal value for specific regional requirements. 

Don’t Underestimate Culture and Change Management  

One of the biggest mistakes we see is when companies overestimate their readiness for change. They move forward without fully considering how factors such as business unit buy-in, the availability of IT resources and the presence of competing projects can significantly impact program adoption and overall success.  

Understanding these decisions is critical to determining how aggressive your approach should be and ensuring the strategies are effective and realized.  

Equally important is identifying who will champion these initiatives internally. While your MSP can help you design and execute these strategies, they must be aligned with your organization's goals, culture and vision. An engaged executive sponsor is essential to spearhead these efforts, highlighting their importance and ensuring successful execution within your organization.  

We help clients assess their change readiness and build a strategy that includes:  

• Executive sponsorship  

• Stakeholder engagement  

• Communication and training plans  

The Risks of Getting it Wrong   

If this is your first MSP program, a poor rollout can leave a lasting impression, including undermining trust in the program, delaying cost savings and compliance improvements, and making future change even harder. That’s why it’s critical to invest in the right foundation—from governance to user experience to change management.  

The earlier you bring in a partner like AGS Managed Services (AGS), the better. Early engagement allows us to co-create a roadmap that’s tailored to your business — not just a generic playbook. We help you understand what’s possible, what’s practical and what’s necessary to achieve your goals. And we don’t just give you options — we explain the why behind our recommendations, drawing on years of experience across industries, geographies and company cultures. We help you avoid decision paralysis so you can move forward with confidence.