# The outsourcing partner checklist: 19 questions to ask any vendor

By Phoebe Dinh, Founder & CEO of SenBPO · Published September 29, 2026 · Updated September 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Source: https://senbpo.com/insights/outsourcing-partner-checklist/

> Choosing a vendor is hard, and every proposal looks good. These questions show how a partner really works. Ask for evidence, not just answers.

This is the same list our founder used when she chose and audited outsourcing partners. Use it for a BPO, customer support, content moderation or data team. Take it to your next vendor call and write down what each vendor shows you, not only what they say.

## Key takeaways

- Meet the team lead before you sign, not only the salesperson.
- Ask to see a real (anonymized) QA scorecard and a sample weekly report.
- Agree in writing who can see your data, where it is stored and which certifications the vendor really holds.
- Start with a small pilot and go-live targets you agree in advance.
- A good partner answers with evidence and is comfortable being asked.

## 1. People: who will actually do the work?

The team you meet in the sales call is not always the team that does the work. Ask about the people.

- Can I meet the team lead before signing?
- How do you hire and test people for this role?
- How long does training take, and how do you check it worked?
- What is your staff turnover, and how do you cover absences?

## 2. Quality: how do you know the work is right?

Every vendor says quality is a priority. Ask to see how it is measured.

- Can I see a real (anonymized) QA scorecard?
- How many items do you check each week?
- Can my team join calibration sessions?
- What happens when quality drops?

## 3. Reporting: what will I see, and how often?

Good reporting means you never have to chase for news, good or bad.

- Can I see a sample weekly report?
- Which numbers do you report, and how are they defined?
- Who do I call when something goes wrong?

## 4. Security: who can see my data?

Security is who can see what, and why. Ask for specifics, and be wary of badges without detail.

- How is access granted and removed?
- Where can my data be viewed or stored?
- What happens if there is an incident?
- Which certifications do you actually hold?

## 5. Getting started: how much risk am I taking?

The safest way to begin is small, with clear targets, so you can decide on results.

- Can we start with a small pilot?
- What are the go-live targets?
- How easy is it to scale up or down?
- What happens if we want to leave?

## Frequently asked questions

### What should I ask an outsourcing partner before signing?

Ask about five things: the people who will do the work and how they are trained, how quality is measured, what reporting you will receive, who can access your data, and whether you can start with a small pilot.

### Should I start with a pilot?

Yes. A small pilot on real work, with a baseline and agreed go-live targets, lets you see the quality numbers before you commit to scale.

### Why ask to meet the team lead?

The team lead is the person who will manage your work every day. Meeting them before you sign shows you who you are really hiring.

### Is this checklist really free?

Yes. You can read and use it without giving us your email. If you want a PDF copy or a walk-through, just ask.

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_Phoebe Dinh is the founder of SenBPO. This checklist reflects her experience choosing and auditing outsourcing vendors. Put the same questions to SenBPO and we will answer each one with evidence._

© 2026 SenBPO. All rights reserved. You may quote short parts with credit to SenBPO and a link to https://senbpo.com/insights/outsourcing-partner-checklist/