Imagine starting a new procurement role where you have a real chance of making changes and influencing the procurement direction. If this 100 day plan was broken down into 10 stages, what might you want to do? Stage 1: Assessment and Understanding Days 1-10 Stakeholder Meetings: Schedule and conduct meetings with key stakeholders, including department heads, finance, and operations to understand current challenges, requirements, and expectations. Review Existing Processes: Analyze current procurement processes, systems, and documentation to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for impro ..read more

Procurement Route to Market Template Introduction: Provide an overview of the project or requirement. Briefly outline the purpose of procurement. Objectives: Define the specific objectives of the procurement process. Clarify the desired outcomes and deliverables. Scope of Work: Detail the scope of work or services to be procured. Include any technical specifications or requirements. Procurement Strategy: Identify the preferred procurement route(s) to market. Consider factors such as cost, time, risk, and quality. Options for Procurement Route: a. Open Tender: – Suitable for large-scale project ..read more

Happy Easter. It’s a time for reflection and the resurrection of Jesus. Spend the time reiving your tired body and enjoy time with loved ones. My Valentines Satire post was rather popular so here is the Easter one! Procurement Parody: An Easter Reflection In the solemn glow of Easter, as we celebrate renewal and rebirth, let us turn our attention to a ritual as ancient and mystifying as the resurrection itself: procurement. Yes, that arcane art of acquiring goods and services, often shrouded in bureaucratic mystery and perplexing processes. As we gather around the procurement table, let us eng ..read more

It’s time to celebrate! International Women’s Day is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide, while also advocating for gender equality. It’s a day to honour the contributions of women in every sphere of life and to recognize the progress that has been made, while also acknowledging the work that still needs to be done to achieve full gender parity. Here are a few ways you can celebrate International Women’s Day: Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn about the achievements and struggles of women throughout history and i ..read more

A procurement playbook is a comprehensive document or set of guidelines that outlines the processes, procedures, best practices, and standards for managing procurement activities within an organization. It serves as a reference guide for procurement professionals and other stakeholders involved in purchasing goods and services. Key components typically found in a procurement playbook include: Procurement policies and procedures: Clearly defined rules and regulations governing procurement processes, such as vendor selection criteria, bidding procedures, and contract management protocols. Roles ..read more

Ok, so we all agree that us procurement people are powerhouses to yield good results, well most of the time! We all love a good simile or metaphor or what ever it is, and they can be quite useful in getting down to the core qualities of something in one fell swoop. In a busy department, when trying to get to know your workmates, there is good way of getting to know each other, what fruit would you be? ! Besides, it’s a lot of fun to introduce staff to newcomers or simply to have a little more bonding with workmates. So, here’s a breakdown of procurement personalities in the office if they were ..read more

I asked my assistant to help me mock up a strategic sourcing framework and she did a fairly good job but made a few mistakes. Can you spot the mistakes! She’s added in category analysis twice and then she added a RFQ before a PQQ which means the flow isn’t quite right. A RFQ is used for low cost purchases and a PQQ is typically used for higher cost tenders. A PQQ is the first stage, followed by an ITT. This is where she’s gone wrong. I think it’s also worth remembering that when getting junior staff to work on prep work that they might have some understanding but will make mistakes that need t ..read more

How can Neuroplasticity help procurement professionals? It helps those who might think this is who I am, the way I think can’t be changed its innate, my thought process, my beliefs and I can’t or don’t want to change. However, there are times where being stuck with our own version of the truth with no divergence for alternative ways of thinking is too singular and too restrictive. So what is Neuroplasticity? Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity or neural plasticity, refers to the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt, reorganize, and change throughout life in response to various exper ..read more

Catering Tender When responsible for the Catering Contract- what do you need to know? Here is an overview of the key must-know items in my catering buyers guide. Key areas for consideration • the retention of discounts and the legal relationship between manufacturer/wholesaler, contract and the client; • VAT accounting for free or internal issues; • the status of the contract caterer as agent or principal or both within the same contract; • the value of the management service; • fixed pricing, price capping, performance guarantees and guaranteed subsidy contracts; and • the scope and applicati ..read more

Tender Specification for Organization Design Services 1. Introduction: [Your organization’s name] is seeking proposals from experienced and qualified organization design consultants or firms to provide comprehensive organization design services. The purpose of this tender is to select a vendor who can assist [your organization] in developing and implementing an effective organizational structure that aligns with its strategic objectives. 2. Background: [Provide background information about your organization, its industry, size, and any specific challenges or goals related to organization desig ..read more