This article discusses the management of complex IT-outsourcing partnerships from the perspective of both outsourcing companies and IT-suppliers. The research project included 24 interviews with business and IT-executives of outsourcing companies, executives of IT-suppliers and experts. This article aims to provide a better understanding of managing complex IT-outsourcing partnerships by proposing a descriptive framework containing relevant governance factors. The investigated cases and expert interviews and IT outsourcing literature are used to evaluate the framework. The results of the analysis and the framework itself illustrate the various complex issues arising in managing of complex IT outsourcing-partnerships.