Governance and careful planning are key to maximising the effectiveness of IT outsourcing for large businesses, it has been claimed.

This is the view outlined in two new books explaining that governance can help companies navigate the complexities of outsourcing mission-critical operations to a third party.

Rupert Kendrick, an expert in legal issues surrounding the use of technology, has written Outsourcing IT: A Governance Guide, which states that the provision should be adopted in a way that supports, rather than hinders, business goals.

Jimmy Desai’s work – IT Outsourcing contracts: A Legal and Practical Guide – shows how organisations have overcome challenges arising from putting technology in the hands of third-party providers.

Mr Desai is a partner in a City of London law firm and has been advising on IT outsourcing contracts for more than ten years.

Earlier this month, studies by Research and Markets found that the IT outsourcing sector is expected to grow next year, driven by an increase in mergers, acquisitions and competition.