Large-scale outsourcing deals promise big savings, <A HREF="http://www.cio.com/archive/020106/outsourcing.html?CID=17143">but they fail half the time.</A> When strategic relationships are good, they're very good. Client and vendor work together, and the benefits accrue to both parties' bottom lines. But when they are bad, they're awful. Client and vendor can develop an adversarial relationship and become embroiled in bitter contract battles. In fact, half of all strategic partnerships fail, according to a study by CISR and CIO.