Comanaged

Comanaged is an adjective describing a model in which two or more parties jointly share management, governance, or operational responsibilities for a given domain. The arrangement aims to combine complementary strengths—such as internal knowledge and external expertise—and to distribute risk and workload. In practice, comanagement is implemented through formal agreements that specify roles, decision rights, accountability, data access, and performance metrics.

In information technology, comanaged IT refers to a model where an organization’s internal IT team handles day-to-day operations and strategic planning, while a managed service provider assumes responsibility for specific functions such as monitoring, security, backup, and incident response. It sits between fully in-house IT and fully outsourced services. Benefits include broader expertise, continuous coverage, and cost flexibility; challenges include alignment of processes, unclear incident ownership, and the need for well-crafted service level agreements.

In healthcare, comanagement describes shared responsibility for patient care between providers, such as a primary care physician and a specialist, or between hospital and outpatient teams, particularly for complex cases. This approach can improve continuity and outcomes but requires clear communication, defined care pathways, interoperable records, and compatible workflows.

Other uses include corporate governance, facilities management, and project teams, where comanagement balances autonomy with collaboration. Successful implementation typically depends on clear authority boundaries, agreed decision rights, data governance, and measurable outcomes.