Improving the ICT service: Managing procurement

Produced by: Socitm Insight

Type: Reports

This report, the third in our series on ICT service improvement, provides expert advice about the way in which the procurement of ICT goods and services should be managed.

Procurement is a management process which must be managed in a way that reflects what
customers really need. It is, therefore, critical for the ICT service to examine the whole life-cycle of procurement from 'cradle to grave', and avoid the pitfall of procurement of ICT facilities being perceived as an ICT activity.

The cornerstone of the smarter procurement concept is the life-cycle model that recognises that procurement is part of a life-cycle, not an end in its own right. The model allows us to step back from the focus on procuring a solution to one that focuses on the outcomes we seek, on the procurement options we have, on who will deliver the benefits, and on how we will manage the contract. It consists of four elements.

1. Procurement preparation 

2. Supplier selection and award

3. Delivery of benefits

4. Contract management

Last modified: 19th January 2010