The CIPS Procurement and Supply Cycle: All 13 Stages Explained

The CIPS Procurement and Supply Cycle is the backbone of the Level 4 Diploma, CIPS says the Diploma has "a focus on the CIPS Procurement and Supply Cycle", and the mental model professional buyers use to structure every sourcing exercise. It "is made up of 13 clear steps, starting at specification, to tender and finishing up with asset management."

Pre contract: stages 1 to 8

1. Specification, define the business need and develop the specification
2. Analysis, market analysis and the make or buy decision
3. Strategy, develop the sourcing strategy and plan
4. Market, pre procurement market test and engagement
5. Documentation, develop documentation: pre qualification questionnaire and detailed specification
6. Criteria, supplier selection to participate in the tender
7. Tender, issue tender documents
8. Evaluation, bid and tender evaluation and validation

Award and post contract: stages 9 to 13

1. Award, contract award and implementation
2. Warehouse, warehouse, logistics and receipt
3. Performance, contract performance and improvement
4. Relationships, supplier relationship management
5. Asset management, through to disposal

Why the cycle matters

Most procurement failures trace back to a stage that was skipped or rushed, a vague specification, an untested market, evaluation criteria written after the bids arrive. Working the cycle deliberately is what turns purchasing into procurement. Level 4 module L4M1, Scope and Influence of Procurement and Supply, teaches the cycle end to end, and L4M8, Procurement and Supply in Practice, tests its integrated application in a workplace context.

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