The supply chain, as an integrated system of the different stages that compose it, starts mainly in the planning of goods and services needs. These correspond to the hard work of the user areas, in an initial stage, for the definition of requirements that guarantee the operation of the company, as well as its growth, based on the projects to be executed. Secondly, it depends on the supply areas that define the strategies that allow an efficient supply management, making this a competitive advantage for the organization.
There are indispensable variables to take into account in the creation of the sourcing plan, which we define in this article.
Key elements of the Sourcing Plan
1. Goods / services of successive tract that are mandatorily required by the company for its correct operation. As input In the creation of the plan, it is necessary to identify the contracts or agreements of these requirements and whether their expiration occurs within the term of the sourcing plan.
Types of requirements where it is highlighted whether they are goods or services; selection modalities in the purchase or contracting (supply strategy); new or previously supplied needs (whose previous data strengthens the process) or even if modifications or extensions of existing contracts/agreements are required.
3. Categorization of needs, The matrix of activities or categories used by the organization becomes important here. This allows the definition of the supply risk at the level of probability and impact, as well as the feasibility of subsequent demand consolidation and aggregation activities.
4. Business rules which, based on the typology of the requirements and the company's organization (corporate governance), define internal processes of the areas involved, approval lines, contractual documents, among others.
5. Chain activities and conditions internally and externally which define the time frame and spectrum to be taken into account. This is based primarily on the service level agreements (SLAs) of supply defined in the organization.
6. Review of requirements and consolidation of needs, is a highly important stage in the creation of the supply plan because it allows for integrated processes, improves efficiency in terms of time and economic results (economy of scale) and brings together common needs of the company's areas (cross-cutting requirements), as well as the needs shared by the same category of goods and/or services and, therefore, of market suppliers.
Conclusion
The use of technological tools in the creation, follow-up and measurement of the supply plan, as well as the link with the different stages of the chain, allows supply leaders to take assertive measures in order to obtain better results for the organization every day.
