Business process outsourcing (BPO) is a subset of outsourcing that involves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of a specific business process to a third-party service provider. BPO is typically categorized into back office outsourcing, which includes internal business functions such as human resources or finance and accounting, and front office outsourcing, which includes customer-related services such as contact centre services.

Lists include:
Telemarketing
Customer service/support
Technical support/help desk
Appointment scheduling
Inbound/outbound sales
Market research
Outsourcing options

BPO that is contracted outside a company's own country is sometimes called offshore outsourcing. BPO that is contracted to a company's neighboring country is sometimes called near shore outsourcing, and BPO that is contracted with the company's own county is sometimes called onshore outsourcing.