The Bottleneck Effect
Projects rarely grind to a halt because of a single catastrophic event. More often, they stumble because procurement runs late – and once it does, the entire programme feels the knock-on effect.
Where does it go wrong?
- Tender documents issued later than planned.
- Bid evaluations rushed, missing key risks.
- Long-lead items not identified early enough.
- Contract negotiations dragging on without clear timelines.
The Root Cause
Procurement is often underestimated as an administrative step. In reality, it sets the rhythm for everything else. When procurement slips, design freezes, mobilisation stalls, and delivery teams are left waiting – burning cash and time.
One real-world example:
On a £90m project, HVAC equipment procurement was delayed by eight weeks. The delay meant late design coordination, missed commissioning windows, and an additional £1.8m in preliminaries.
Fast and Smart Procurement
The best commercial teams:
- Map procurement timelines against the programme from day one.
- Flag and fast-track long-lead items.
- Run structured evaluations to prevent rework later.
- Treat contract negotiation as time-critical, not open-ended.
Final Thought
Procurement isn’t paperwork. It’s the foundation of delivery. Strong procurement discipline protects programmes, margins, and client confidence.
