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Managed BPO vs staff augmentation
Direct answer
With managed BPO, a provider runs an outcome for you — it owns the process, SOPs, QA, and SLAs. With staff augmentation, the provider supplies skilled people who work under your management and tools. Choose managed BPO when you want a process and outcomes owned end to end; choose staff augmentation when you want to keep control and direct the work. Actigy offers both models.
Managed BPO vs Staff augmentation at a glance
The short version, side by side. Detail and guidance below.
| Dimension | Managed BPO | Staff augmentation |
|---|---|---|
| Who manages day-to-day | The provider (Actigy) | You |
| Accountability | SLAs & QA on outcomes | You direct and review the work |
| SOPs & QA | Provider builds and owns | Your processes and tools |
| Ramp | Provider hires, trains, certifies | Operators embed into your team |
| Flexibility | Scoped to the agreed process | Flexible day-to-day tasking |
| Best for | Defined, repeatable processes | Fluid needs and tight integration |
What is managed BPO?
Managed BPO is when a provider takes end-to-end responsibility for a process — staffing, SOPs, QA, and SLAs — and delivers an outcome. You keep policy and final decisions; the provider runs and reports on the work.
What is staff augmentation?
Staff augmentation is when a provider supplies trained operators who work inside your team, tools, and management. You direct the day-to-day work; the provider supplies and retains the people.
When to choose Managed BPO
- The process is defined and repeatable
- You want outcomes, SLAs, and QA owned by the provider
- You want to offload management overhead
When to choose Staff augmentation
- Your needs are fluid and change week to week
- You want operators inside your tools and management
- You want maximum control over the day-to-day
Where Actigy fits
Where Actigy fits
Actigy offers both. We run fully managed teams with SOPs, QA, and SLAs, or embed trained operators in your team as staff augmentation — both delivered nearshore from Central and Eastern Europe, with a Tech Lead on every team.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does Actigy offer managed BPO or staff augmentation?
Both. You can engage Actigy as a fully managed team that owns SOPs, QA, and SLAs, or as staff augmentation where trained operators work inside your team and tools.
Which is cheaper, managed BPO or staff augmentation?
Cost depends on scope and management overhead, not the model itself. Managed BPO bundles management and QA into the outcome; staff augmentation prices the people while you manage. Actigy prices both per FTE by role and industry.
Can I start with staff augmentation and move to managed?
Yes. Many teams start with embedded operators and transition to a fully managed team as the process stabilizes and SOPs mature.
Related reading
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Not sure which fits your operation?
Tell us the process you want to outsource. Actigy will assess scope, staffing, and delivery cost, then propose a pilot.