There are multiple sources of uncertainty in the R&D outsourcing process which bring great challenges to the operation and management of R&D outsourcing. In this paper, flexibility is applied in the R&D outsourcing process to give decision-makers the flexibility in outsourcing management actions. First, the concept of flexibility and the flexible outsourcing process of R&D projects are introduced; then, the flexible outsourcing process is decomposed into three tasks, the flexible management framework is constructed based on the logical relationship of these three tasks; finally, the key technologies for the flexible outsourcing process are summarized. This research will provide a systematic way to support flexible outsourcing of R&D projects and offer fundamental principles to help decision makers reduce the effects of uncertainty in R&D project management.