Partnership Renewal & Technology Discovery Form

Please remove this form template insight sections before publishing.

Form Insight: Partnership Renewal & Technology Discovery Form

Section 1: Alignment & Strategy Logic

This section moves the conversation away from "maintenance" and toward "vision." By asking for primary objectives first, the form forces a reflection on the relationship's value.

• The Intent: It transitions the partner from a defensive "cost-cutting" mindset to a proactive "value-addition" mindset.
• Key Insight: If a partner cannot name three achievements, it signals an immediate need for a relationship reset before discussing renewal terms.

Section 2: The Audit & Efficiency Layer

This is where you gather the hard data. By using a table format for cloud, storage, and security, the form identifies where the partner is over-invested or under-equipped.

• The Intent: To uncover "shelfware" (software paid for but not used).
• Key Insight: High utilization rates suggest a need for more capacity (upsell), while low utilization rates suggest a need for better training or a pivot in service strategy.

Section 3: Discovery & Future-Proofing

This section is designed to identify "friction points." Instead of asking "What do you want to buy?", it asks "What takes the most time?"

• The Intent: By focusing on manual bottlenecks and data silos, you position your services as a solution to operational pain rather than an additional expense.
• Key Insight: The 1-5 ranking system for emerging tech (AI, Zero-Trust) creates a "heat map" of where the partner is willing to invest their future budget.

Section 4: Expansion & Upsell Pathways

This is the most direct part of the template. It bridges the gap between the current state and the desired future state identified in the previous sections.

• The Intent: It uses the partner's own feedback about "feature gaps" to justify a higher service tier.
• Key Insight: Asking about pilot projects is a low-pressure way to introduce new technology. It feels like an experiment rather than a hard sales pitch.

Strategic Design Principles for Form Creators

1. Progressive Discovery

Start with broad, high-level questions to build momentum. Save the granular budget and procurement questions for the end. This prevents "form fatigue" and keeps the user engaged through the initial reflective stages.

2. Balanced Inputs

The template uses a mix of:

• Qualitative (Text): For emotional buy-in and goal setting.
• Quantitative (Scales/Tables): For objective infrastructure analysis.
• Categorical (Multiple Choice): For quick identification of technical interests.

3. Action-Oriented Outcomes

Every question in this form should trigger a specific follow-up. If they mark "High Criticality" for a legacy system, your internal team knows exactly what proposal to prepare for the next meeting.

Please remove this mandatory questions recommendation before publishing.

Mandatory Questions and Their Strategic Necessity

1. Current Primary Objectives & Success Metrics

• The Question: "What were the top three business goals achieved through this partnership in the last 12 months?"
• Why it is mandatory: This is the foundation of the renewal. If the partner cannot articulate the value they’ve received, the relationship is at risk. Forcing this input creates a documented record of success that justifies the continued investment. It transforms the conversation from "what we cost" to "what we helped you achieve."

2. Utilization Rates of Current Resources

• The Question: "Current Solution/Vendor Utilization Rate (%)" (specifically for core services provided).
• Why it is mandatory: Data on usage is the most objective way to identify upsell or right-sizing opportunities. If they are at 90% capacity, an upsell is a functional necessity. If they are at 20%, you need to address adoption issues before the renewal can be finalized. It removes guesswork from the resource planning process.

3. Manual Workflow Bottlenecks

• The Question: "Which manual processes currently consume the most man-hours?"
• Why it is mandatory: This question identifies the "pain points" that the partner may not even realize can be solved with your technology. It provides the narrative for why they should expand their service level. Solving a time-consuming manual task is often the fastest way to prove ROI (Return on Investment).

4. Scalability Requirements for the Next Term

• The Question: "Anticipated growth in user base or data volume: ____%"
• Why it is mandatory: You cannot provide a reliable service agreement without knowing the expected load. This ensures that the new contract is built for where the partner is going, not where they have been. It also identifies if their current infrastructure will fail under future pressure, making an upgrade a proactive recommendation.

5. Fiscal Year & Budgetary Alignment

• The Question: "Fiscal Year Start Date" and "Decision Matrix."
• Why it is mandatory: From a purely operational standpoint, knowing when the budget is finalized and who signs the document is critical for timing the renewal. Missing these details leads to "lapsed" contracts or administrative delays that can disrupt service continuity.