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Procurement and Sourcing
It is possible to get outsourcing right, straight from the start.
The Drivers
Over many years, sourcing has become a firmly established part of the government and business landscapes. However, many organisations find that it's just as easy to get it wrong as it is to get it right.
Critical Factors
There are many things that could go wrong but a disciplined approach, applied with a degree of subtlety and understanding, can not only avoid disaster but generate lasting success and real business benefits. The Oakleigh approach, below, shows some of the key issues that need to be addressed at each stage of the procurement lifecycle.
Preparation
This is key to the success of the project and must encompass Strategy and Planning.
Strategy
- Understanding the business needs and drivers
- Understanding market potential
- Formulating an exit strategy
Planning
- Having a clear project plan, including resources identified and available
- Developing a communications plan
- Understanding all dependencies
Execution
This requires a thorough understanding of Engagement, Selection, Clarification, and Contracting.
Engagement
- Publishing procurement notices to plan
- Ensuring all documentation focuses on outcomes and outputs, not simply activities
- Selling an opportunity (not buying a service) mindset
Selection
- Unbiased and methodical evaluations
- Developing governance mechanisms fully
Clarification
- Identifying preferred and reserve suppliers
- Addressing supplier assumptions and issues to maximise all-round value
Contracting
- Business driven not legal driven
- Clear Service Level Agreements ensuring mutually beneficial incentives
- Performance indicators linked to business drivers and benefits plans
Procurement Insights
Our extensive experience has allowed us a unique overview of the whole outsourcing process:
- Compliance with the procurement rules must be absolute but compliance in itself will be insufficient to generate the best outcomes.
- This process is about "selling an opportunity" not simply buying a service.
- Look for "win / win" not "win / lose" - find the point of equilibrium between service quality and price.
- Effective governance throughout the contract life is the most frequently over-looked area.
Our Work
Oakleigh has in-depth expertise throughout the sourcing process; in particular we work with our clients to achieve their success in ensuring the scope of services are properly understood, defined and communicated throughout the procurement cycle.
Why Oakleigh?
- We have successfully delivered full lifecycle procurements for over 25 clients.
- Our consultants understand sourcing from all angles, having worked for clients, for service providers and as consultants to the process.
- We have an intimate understanding of suppliers and their sales' behaviours.
- We have a proven approach to procurement management, including document templates, evaluation models and appropriate auditing of all key decision points.
Why not take a look at our more detailed Product Sheet on Sourcing.