90-Day Telecom Transformation Checklist | Proven Framework for CIOs

First 30 Days – Assess & Document

Theme: "What do we have, where is it, and what are we paying for?"

Environment & Vendor Discovery

Fill out the Telecom Management RACI MatrixTelecom Management RACI Matrix

Identify and request existing documentation from internal teamsRequest for Existing Documentation Template

Request vendor master list from Accounts Payable / ProcurementMaster Vendor List Email

Request signed service orders, contracts, and invoices for all known vendorsRequest Provider Inventory Template

Pull last 3 months of telecom invoices from AP

Compile master service/inventory list (Internet, voice, SD-WAN, MPLS, etc.)Service Documentation Template

Create a centralized repository (Google Drive, SharePoint, Notion, etc.)

Begin documentation of contract terms (if readily available)Telecom Contract Terms Documentation

Capture known vendor contacts and escalation paths

Collect any past telecom audits or telecom expense management (TEM) reports

Stakeholder Discovery & Pain Points

Schedule stakeholder interviews: IT, Finance, Procurement, Facilities, Business Owners, Application Owners

Create a log of known issues, outages, billing errors, or vendor frustrationsStakeholder Discovery Framework

Confirm the current MACD (Move/Add/Change/Disconnect) process and owners

Review the current procurement approval process for telecom-related purchases

Identify any pending renewals, known upcoming projects, or initiatives

Initial Visualization & Planning

Build draft network/service map (locations, carriers, types)

Tag services by type (e.g., internet, voice, backup, mobility, legacy MPLS)

Triage immediate risks (e.g., unknown vendors, expiring services, billing gaps)

Draft internal "telecom current state" summaryTelecom & Network Current State Summary

Engage Socium to assist with environment and cost documentation

Days 31-60 – Evaluate & Prioritize

Theme: "What should we change, fix, renegotiate, or consolidate?"

📈 Cost & Contract Evaluation

Benchmark spend and service pricing vs. market ratesTCO Comparison

Identify duplicate services and overlapping vendors

Flag high-cost or underutilized circuits/locations

Tag outdated contract structures (evergreen, month-to-month, unmanaged)

Build vendor/service prioritization matrix (cost vs. risk vs. complexity)

Tag contract timing (renewal windows, notice periods)

🔍 Vendor & Service Rationalization

Group services by site and service type to identify consolidation opportunities

Assess potential for carrier or service standardization by region or globally

Identify sites with multiple vendors or outdated technologies

Evaluate current SLAs, support performance, or service quality (if data available)Provider Performance Scorecard

Review contract alignment across vendors (e.g., do they co-term?)

📋 Roadmap & Sourcing Prep

Draft cost reduction and vendor rationalization roadmapProject Financial Planning

Define high-impact/low-effort "quick win" opportunities

Develop vendor-neutral sourcing strategy

Engage Socium to build vendor scorecards (cost + technical)

Prepare executive summary of opportunities and risks

Secure internal alignment and approvals for change or renegotiation

Begin early discussions with vendors about potential renegotiation or transition

Days 61-90 – Execute & Optimize

Theme: "Show progress, clean up vendors, and establish ongoing control."

🛠️ Implementation & Transition Support

Kick off carrier or vendor transitions (installs, ports, disconnects)

Assign internal or Socium project manager to manage implementation tasks

Monitor delivery timelines and shipping of equipment

Coordinate site readiness and circuit cutovers

Track MACD activity and document changes

Build post-migration issue tracker

📊 Management Infrastructure

Finalize and launch telecom inventory system (Airtable, Notion, other)

Tag services by lifecycle status (active, pending cancel, in transition)

Create contract renewal calendar with alerts

Assign ongoing vendor support contacts and escalation paths

Set up process for ongoing MACD requests

Develop internal service catalog (standard circuit, voice, mobility)

📈 Reporting & Momentum

Prepare 90-day impact report (spend under review, wins, roadmap)

Highlight quick wins (e.g., disconnected unused services, consolidated vendors)

Set up cadence for Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with vendors

Schedule ongoing optimization support with Socium

Share wins and updated structure with executive stakeholders

Identify next wave of opportunities (next 90 days)

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First 90 Days Telecom Control Checklist