Vendor onboarding is where most future problems are visible—if you know where to look.
Onboarding red flags
- No SOP documentation (only verbal assurances)
- No escalation matrix
- Single-point dependency
- No reporting commitment
- Hygiene readiness only during visits
What strong onboarding looks like
- Written SOPs and service calendar - Trial run plan with targets - Complaint closure process - Defined backups
If onboarding feels vague, operations will feel worse.