Not sure if my chance or just by the energy of the day I ended up calling my role a pure-chasing rather than a purchasing one.
I don’t remember what project it was, but I do remember I was upset, I needed several information from different departments, and ended up feeling like the headless chicken running around with no use other than getting really tired.
At the time ( let’s not count how many years ago), all I was seeing is that I do not get the needed information to move on, to do my job after all. I was not really able , or in the mood, to ask myself what am I doing wrong? What do I need to do differently in order to avoid situations like this?
Time, experience, some good program managers and some calm experienced technical minds have helped me see and know better.
Today I know that when I feel like PureChasing mode I need to check the following:
1. Do I understand exactly what I need to do = is the requirement clear enough ?
2. Do I understand the balance between time, cost, quality and quantity of what is needed ?
3. Is lead time and impact clear ? Do I know what is needed by when and what happens if not available? Note that second part of the question is just as important as the first and most people miss it.
4. Is the requirement/need realistic and doable under standard market conditions? Or are we expecting a bike to fly… if you don’t understand yet, you will soon…
5. Do I have all the details, specifications, requitements that ensure I can provide a competitive solution to the business? Very soon in this job you will learn that not being specific enough results in bad purchase – cost,time or quality wise.
I am fairly sure if at least one of this is missing, you will end feeling that you miss something, that the solution proposed is not good enough and unclear on what to do next.
It’s ok, it is not you, we have all been there in this role and probably will. Just go back to the questions, you can add more to this check-list anytime depending on the industry specifics just make sure you are not overcomplicating a simple buy just because there is just lack of clarity.
Let me know how it worked.
