Functional service has been ranked high among the buzz words of the clinical research industry. Both sponsor organisations and service providers are equally excited about the opportunities this model offers and the potentially win-win situation it provides to them. Sponsor organisations typically send individual protocol-related service RFPs (request for proposals) to CROs and follow-up with contract negotiations. Sponsors have realised the benefits of reduced oversight and contract management a complete functional service outsourcing model offers saving valuable time and resources.