In theory, the procurement process should ensure an appropriate partner is chosen, and result in better outcomes.
- The reality is that delivering digital and IT projects is complicated and requires flexibility.
- In practice, digital and IT procurement processes often focus too much on specifications and competition, rather than collaboration.
- To use an architecture analogy, you wouldn’t go to an architect and tell them exactly what you want right down to specific details such as the size of your rooms, or building materials, or types of door handles. Instead, you would indicate your budget, and how you want to live in your house.
The reality is that delivering digital and IT projects is complicated and requires flexibility. It is simply not possible to have determined the best solution prior to actually commencing the project — you need to collaborate.
What makes a good procurement process?
In most cases, success is about ‘fit’. As part of the procurement process, we work with you to understand your organisation’s capacity and capability. This has a big bearing on how the project should be set up and therefore which vendor might be the most appropriate partner.
Together we’ll work through:
- Understanding your project, and creating the EOI and RFP documentation
- Co-ordinating meetings and workshops with potential vendors
- Creating and facilitating formal evaluation sessions
- Providing independent technical advice and evaluation of proposed solutions
- Communicating the procurement process and results to your key stakeholders (eg boards and management teams).