Frequently Asked Questions
You tell us what your operation needs to deliver. We agree what success looks like, then manage the workforce behind it.
Q-Sourcing helps businesses improve operational performance through outcome-led workforce planning, deployment, supervision, measurement and continuous improvement. Explore how the model works, what we manage and how results are measured.
Understanding pMSP
What is Q-Sourcing’s Productivity Managed Services Program (pMSP)?
pMSP is an outcome-led workforce management service. You tell us what your operation needs to deliver; we agree the targets and measures, then Q-Sourcing manages the workforce needed to support those results. This can cover workforce planning, deployment, supervision, performance, reporting and related processes within the agreed scope.
What operational problems does pMSP solve?
pMSP addresses workforce-related barriers to operational performance, including inconsistent output, productivity gaps, inefficient deployment, rising costs, weak supervision, poor performance visibility, safety or compliance concerns, and inconsistent results across sites or shifts. It brings these responsibilities together under one managed model focused on your operational targets.
How is pMSP different from traditional manpower outsourcing?
Traditional manpower outsourcing typically starts with the question, “How many people do you need?” pMSP starts with, “What does your operation need to deliver?” We then work backwards to define the people, structure, supervision and management needed to support that outcome. The outcome comes first; the workforce model follows.
Is pMSP simply outsourcing under another name?
No. Conventional outsourcing often focuses on transferring a workforce or function. pMSP is organised around agreed business outcomes, with the workforce, supervision, processes, data and controls managed to support those outcomes. It is a managed performance model, not simply a supply of personnel.
Responsibilities and workforce management
What workforce responsibilities can Q-Sourcing manage under pMSP?
Depending on the agreed scope, Q-Sourcing can manage workforce planning, recruitment and deployment, supervision, attendance and administration, performance and productivity, training and skills, reporting, workforce controls, compliance and continuous improvement. Responsibilities and service boundaries are defined at the start.
What does our business continue to own and manage?
You retain control of your business, including your site or factory, equipment, raw materials, products, production systems, customers, commercial decisions and overall business targets. Q-Sourcing manages the workforce within that operating environment and the agreed service scope
How much of our workforce can Q-Sourcing manage?
pMSP is modular. Q-Sourcing can take on selected workforce responsibilities or a broader end-to-end model: plan, recruit, deploy, supervise, measure and improve. The extent of responsibility is agreed with your business.
Will our management team still need to supervise the workforce?
pMSP is designed to reduce the day-to-day workforce management burden. Q-Sourcing manages matters such as staffing, shift supervision, attendance, workforce performance and relevant operational issues within scope, while giving your management team visibility of results and corrective actions.
What happens to our existing employees when pMSP starts?
pMSP does not automatically require replacing existing employees. The model may involve your current teams, Q-Sourcing-deployed personnel or a combination. We first assess how the operation works, then agree which workforce responsibilities Q-Sourcing will manage.
What if we do not know how many employees we need?
You do not need a fixed headcount to begin. Share what you need to produce or deliver, the required volume, timing, operating cadence, locations, quality standards and constraints. We then work with you to design a workforce model that supports those requirements.
Performance, productivity and control
How does Q-Sourcing measure pMSP performance?
We establish an operational baseline, agree relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) and track performance against them. Measures may include units produced, tonnes processed, orders completed, turnaround time, service levels, quality, productivity, cost efficiency, safety and compliance. Reporting shows what was expected, what was delivered and how gaps are being addressed.
What happens if productivity or service performance drops?
We assess what changed, where the gap occurred, why it happened and what action is needed. Depending on the cause and agreed scope, improvement measures may involve deployment, supervision, skills, attendance, processes or work routines. The objective is to correct performance gaps, not merely report them.
Can pMSP improve workforce productivity?
Yes. pMSP identifies where workforce performance is being lost and manages improvements through better deployment, supervision, work routines, accountability, skills and visibility. Higher output does not always require more people; it may require using the existing workforce more effectively.
What does “productivity” mean under pMSP?
Productivity is defined around your operation, not a generic metric. In manufacturing, it may mean units produced; in warehousing, orders processed; in projects, work completed; and in service operations, service-level agreements (SLAs) achieved. We agree the most relevant measures with you.
Can pMSP help control workforce costs?
pMSP connects workforce costs with the operational results being delivered. This helps reveal inefficient deployment, unnecessary costs, productivity and skills gaps, and avoidable inefficiencies. The focus is not just what the workforce costs, but the value and output it delivers.
Will we retain visibility and control over workforce performance?
Yes. Within the agreed reporting scope, management can see workforce deployment, attendance, performance, productivity, costs, compliance, operational issues and corrective actions. The goal is greater visibility and accountability without adding to your management workload.
How does pMSP handle workplace safety and compliance?
Safety and compliance form part of the managed model. Q-Sourcing manages relevant workforce controls, health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, compliance processes and reporting within the agreed scope. Productivity must be supported by safe, compliant and sustainable operations.
What if our operation is already performing well?
pMSP can help make good performance more consistent, efficient and scalable. The opportunity may be to reduce management effort, improve cost efficiency, strengthen accountability or make results less dependent on individual employees. Predictable performance creates long-term operational value.
Business fit and growth
Can pMSP support operations across multiple sites?
Yes. pMSP can provide a consistent management approach across sites while accommodating local operational needs. This supports clearer reporting, consistent accountability and better visibility across locations and shifts.
Is pMSP suitable only for large companies?
No. Suitability depends on the size and complexity of your operation and the impact of workforce performance on your results. The model is designed around operational need, not company size alone.
Can pMSP scale as our business grows?
Yes. The workforce model can be adjusted as you open new sites, increase production, add shifts, expand projects, enter new markets or change workforce requirements. The scope evolves with your operation.
Which industries and businesses can benefit from pMSP?
pMSP is especially relevant where workforce performance directly affects output, including manufacturing, FMCG, logistics and warehousing, agriculture and agro-processing, construction, energy and oil and gas, telecommunications, mining, BPO and high-volume services, and other workforce-intensive operations. The model is tailored to the operation rather than the industry label.
Starting a pMSP engagement
How does a pMSP engagement with Q-Sourcing begin?
We start by understanding what your operation must deliver, current performance, the desired standard, existing gaps, their likely causes and the responsibilities Q-Sourcing should take on. We then agree the baseline, KPIs, service scope and workforce management model before implementation, measurement and ongoing improvement.
How quickly can we expect results from pMSP?
The timing depends on the operation, its starting point and the measures agreed. From the outset, the priority is to establish the baseline, define KPIs and track performance so you can see whether results are moving in the right direction. Improvement timelines depend on the issues being addressed.
Let’s discuss your operation
Tell Q-Sourcing what you need your operation to deliver. We can work with you to define the workforce responsibilities, performance measures and management model required to support that outcome.