If you're interested in finding out how long various phases of outsourcing initiatives should take, consider the case of the state of Virginia, which is undergoing its "IT Transformation Initiative."
Next week, it will begin "detailed evaluations" of proposals from three integrators, encompassing IBM, Northrop Grumman and CGI-AMS, according to William Welsh's article, "Virginia to begin IT outsourcing evaluations," on Washington Technology. The review should take 90 days to complete. "After that, the finalists will have 60 days to respond in another round of proposals."
From there, the state will decide if it should move to the next phase: negotiating agreements.
