How to Implement Service Level Management at Low Cost

Low cost implementation is a primary focus for nearly every project you encounter simply because your budget can only take so much pressure and the tightening has to take place somewhere. Part of the dilemma in this space, however, is in determining the appropriate cost for the implementation of specific functions or processes that provide the underpinning of a service provision environment.

How to Implement Service Level Management and Drive Value

Through the customers’ eyes, the process improvement stage of the project must be performed at a minimum cost. As the key decision maker and motivation driver behind this process, how do you meet this expectation while also meeting the needs as defined in the project? Service level management tends to focus on the documentation, negotiation, agreement and reports on the quality of services delivered. When you take it to the next level, however, low cost loses the spotlight as high value takes over.

How to Implement Service Level Management and Take It to the Next Level

In the basic sense, service management should encompass relationships, communications, the perception of the customer, and other elements that may not readily be obvious to you. Yes, the activities included in the primary definition of service level management are important, but they should not take priority over the status of building out those relationships and driving overall satisfaction through perceived excellence.

Service Level Management

Ultimately, your primary goal with service management should be to create a positive customer perception. The creation of this perception does not take such a high place in your priorities that you should accomplish this at no attention to cost. After all, a high-priced client that depletes your profit margins completely isn’t really a good client to have. Instead, you want to build out the value of what you offer, paying attention to how to implement service level management at a low cost and delivering more than what your customers expect.

How to Implement Service Level Management that Drives Costs Down

While there is still an important difference between cost and value, customers will still overlook the value you offer if your service management cost is too high. This is where it is important to structure your costs very competitively, while also building on those relationships so that cost loses its importance in the negotiations. As you increase the satisfaction for your customer, how to implement service level management over time will be more about the service you deliver than the cost for doing so.

Low Cost Service Level Management Activities

If you truly want to learn how to implement service level management solutions economically, you need to generate documents that provide a roadmap for your low cost implementation. The truth is, in creating these service management documents, you are forced to look at the process and determine exactly how you want it to be done. The documents you need include a process charter, a service structure and SLA templates. Once you have these in place, you are ready to take the next step in how to implement service level management.

Negotiating the Service Level Management Agreement

At this step, the customer and service provider agree on and sign the service level management agreement to ensure both parties are happy. This is an important step in the relationship and protects both players down the line. By signing this agreement, you demonstrate that you will protect the needs of the agreement and deliver the service management expected.