12.2 Conduct Procurements

Select a seller and put a signed agreement in place with them.

Executing / Procurement · ← PMBOK reference · See it on the map

Why it matters

Starting work with a seller before terms are signed leaves the project exposed if a disagreement about scope, price, or timing comes up later.

What done looks like

A seller is selected and a signed agreement is in place covering the work.

First time tip

Get more than one bid even when you already have a preferred seller. A single quote gives you no leverage and no comparison to judge it against.

What you need (Inputs)

• Procurement Management Plan
• Procurement Documentation
• Seller Proposals
• Source Selection Criteria
• Bid Documents
• Procurement Statement of Work

How you do it (Tools & Techniques)

• Expert Judgment
• Advertising
• Bidder Conferences
• Proposal Evaluation
• Interpersonal and Team Skills

What you get (Outputs)

• Selected Sellers
• Agreements
• Change Requests

Worked example

Three suppliers are asked for written quotes against the same specification — 40 kg a shelf, delivered and installed in May. The cheapest cannot meet the date, so the award goes to the second, and the reason is written down beside it.

Common pitfalls

• Sending each bidder a different spec, so the quotes cannot be compared.
• Awarding on price alone when the date or the standard is what actually matters.
• Letting a seller start work on a verbal yes before the agreement is signed.

How driftless helps

• Proposal Evaluation can be run here.
• Agreements can be created in the wizard.