Developing and Implementing Supply Strategies

The basis of developing and implementing a supplyand high market complexity a collaborative
strategy is to organize that strategy, tactics andrelationship method can be used. In this method there
management approach to effectively link them tois more communication and supplier involvement and
the overall goals of the company.typically involves longer contract lengths.
The key segments to include in that strategy are riskOver the years sourcing has become much more
to the organization, cost and value to theorganized and employs a much more systematic
organization and the market complexity in theapproach while at the same time engaging the
sourcing arena. Risk is the extent of negativesuppliers in a more collaborative way. It is organized in
outcomes if the good or service is of low quality, toothat it is now an ongoing enterprise process and
expensive or becomes unavailable. Cost and value issystematic in that there is now an agreed upon
usually measured in dollars but it could also have anprocess for sourcing within the organization.
intrinsic value as well.This systematic process encompasses seven steps,
Examples of high risk are those supply items thatInternal assessment of the company's sourcing
come from a single supplier while examples of lowneeds, a supplier market assessment, gathering
risk supply items would be things such as officesupplier information through supplier surveys, the
supply items.development of a sourcing strategy, the solicitation
Low market complexity exists when there are manyand evaluation of bids, the negotiation with and
suppliers, excess capacity, standard specifications forselection of suppliers and finally the implementation of
products and possible substitute exist. High marketthe selected sourcing strategy.
complexity is the exact opposite, where there areIn many companies there has also been a shift from
few suppliers, restricted capacity, unique productthe traditional sourcing model with its focus on price
specifications and no substitutes available.and cost of ownership. This model is very process
For each of these environments there are associateddriven and utilizes well developed procurement skills.
vendor relationship strategies that can be utilized.The shift has been towards a value based model
In those environments with low product value, lowwhich has a focus on value, the total contribution to
risk and low market complexity a transactionalownership. It is strategic intent driven and utilizes
relationship method can be used. This methodsound business skills.
requires less communication, less supplier involvementThis means a focus on the greatest value to the
and shorter contract lengths.organization rather than the greatest savings.
In environments with a high product value, high risk