SupplyManagement.com recently ran an article on “12 tips for effective processes” that your public sector organization can use to get the most out of your upcoming eSourcing / eProcurement project if your organization is new to eSourcing / eProcurement. The hope is that there will be a quest for purchasing fire, but even if there is not, these tips will still help.
- Offer Guidance
Make sure internal customers are given proper guidance on what their requirements should address. - Assess Project Risks
Identify what can go wrong, take steps to prevent the risks, and make contingency plans. - Involve Stakeholders
Make sure they all get a chance to review the package before it goes out to bid. - Seek External Expertise
Make sure you have sufficient knowledge before the project is begun. - Insure Sufficient Resources
Be sure the financial and human resources are in place before the project starts to prevent it from stalling. - Form an Acquisition Plan
Identify how transactions will occur, how goods and services will be tracked, and how the project will be completed. - Target the Right Bidders
No project will succeed if the right suppliers are not in the mix. - Evaluate Bids Correctly
And according to the evaluation methodology set out up front (that was included in the bid package). - Involve Legal and Technical Experts
These can be internal or external, but all legal and technical aspects are reviewed by competent professionals. - Involve Key Players Early
And make sure this involvement goes beyond a simple review of the draft bid package. - Monitor the Project
Projects tend to stall and die when not monitored. - Record Savings Made
And report progress regularly.
These are all good tips, and not hard to implement. It basically all comes down to preparation, preparation, and more preparation … and the willingness to work with others and, if necessary, share the success.