Choosing the right FSP model for your clinical challenge: a practical guide
Clinical development teams face very different pressures depending on their pipeline, footprint, and organizational readiness. Some need to move fast without adding permanent headcount, others are managing complex global delivery, long term follow-up, or fluctuating workloads that rise and fall across studies and phases.
That’s why at Fortrea we don’t treat clinical Functional Service Provider (FSP) as a one size fits all solution. We take a consultative approach to FSP - questioning assumptions early, identifying what is really slowing progress and clarifying the real constraint. From there, our focus is on making delivery feel straightforward, even as complexity increases.
Our deep understanding of your challenges - and the environment you operate in – drives continuous innovation in how we design and deliver FSP. The result is a broad portfolio of clinical FSP models, built to meet today’s needs and ready to be adapted to suit you, as your priorities shift, portfolios evolve, and expectations change.
Below is your guide to Fortrea’s FSP models, mapped to the challenges our sponsors tell us they face most often.
When you need to scale fast without losing control = Dedicated FTE
If your clinical programs are evolving quickly and internal hiring cannot keep pace, Dedicated FTE provides committed Fortrea professionals embedded within your teams. They work within your processes, and systems while you retain day to day oversight.
This model is well suited to support:
- Rapid portfolio expansion without adding fixed internal headcount costs
- Internal recruitment and onboarding pressure relief
- The need for continuity across studies or regions
When work volume fluctuates across studies = Activity-Based Delivery
Activity-Based Delivery shifts the focus from resourcing by role, to delivery by outcome. Work is delivered as defined units or activity tasks, providing flexibility when demand varies over time.
This model is often used when sponsors want:
- Predictable outputs without fixed capacity
- Flexibility across timelines and programs
- Efficient delivery of repeatable activities
When no single model fits = Blended Delivery Models
Many sponsor needs require a combination of approaches. Blended Delivery Models combines multiple FSP models into a tailored operating design that evolves as programs grow, shift, or mature.
This model supports:
- Expansion across functions or geographies
- Changing priorities across the portfolio
- Phased transitions over time
When country level complexity slows delivery = Country in a Box
Country in a Box brings together local delivery capabilities under a single, coordinated model. It helps expand your program’s country footprint in a flexible way, while maintaining consistency across regions.
Sponsors often choose this model when they face:
- Limited in country infrastructure
- Complex regulatory or operational requirements
- The need to accelerate site startup and execution
When standardization and efficiency are priorities = Centralized Delivery
Centralized delivery uses Fortrea delivery hubs for activities suited to scale and standardization. It supports consistent execution, efficient workflows, and faster turnaround for appropriate tasks.
Sponsors turn to this model to:
- Improve efficiency for high volume activities
- Support global programs with consistent processes
- Free internal teams to focus on higher value work
When studies require long term continuity = Long Term Follow up (LTFU) model
The Long Term Follow-up model supports studies with extended follow up requirements, providing stability and continuity beyond active trial phases and allowing you to focus your teams’ time and efforts on higher priority work.
It is commonly used for:
- Advanced therapy programs (e.g. Cell and Gene Therapy)
- Studies with prolonged patient engagement
- Long term data collection needs
When training consistency becomes a bottleneck = Global Training Delivery
Our Global Training Delivery model centralizes and standardizes training across roles, regions, or programs. It supports faster onboarding, consistent readiness, and ongoing upskilling without adding strain to internal teams.
This approach supports:
- Large or distributed clinical teams
- Role based or program wide training needs
- Ongoing changes in protocols or processes
Turning FSP into measurable business impact
Across every model, Fortrea differentiates through strategic challenge-led design, agility at scale, and measurable business impact. Our teams combine flexible operating models with embedded technology, data driven decisions, and scalable delivery — helping sponsors move faster, manage cost more effectively, and demonstrate value internally.
The right FSP model starts with the right question. Fortrea aims to make functional outsourcing easy, predictable and a trusted solution for your business.