Infrastructure projects are complex undertakings where countless moving parts must align to achieve successful outcomes. From initial planning to final execution, one misstep in procurement or commercial readiness can result in costly delays, misaligned contracts, or operational inefficiencies.
To address these challenges, we developed the Commercial and Procurement Readiness Checklist—a comprehensive tool designed to guide project teams in preparing for market engagement and ensuring a strong foundation for project delivery.
What Is the Commercial and Procurement Readiness Checklist?
This checklist is a structured guide that ensures infrastructure projects are commercially and operationally ready before going to market with tenders or work packages. Covering key areas such as planning, systems, approvals, documentation, and supplier engagement, it helps teams identify gaps, mitigate risks, and optimize their procurement strategies.
The checklist includes critical elements such as:
- Planning and Dependencies: Have work packages been clearly defined and aligned with project milestones?
- Systems and Processes: Are the right systems in place to manage contracts, payments, and tracking?
- Supplier Engagement: Are suppliers adequately briefed and aligned with compliance requirements?
- Risk Management: Have potential long lead times and supply chain risks been identified and mitigated?
Why Was It Developed?
Over years of working with infrastructure projects, we’ve seen recurring issues: poorly defined scopes, mismatched commercial models, and a lack of readiness leading to inefficiencies and rework. The checklist was developed as a practical tool to address these pain points. It distills best practices from successful projects, providing teams with a step-by-step approach to achieve readiness and avoid common pitfalls.
How to Use the Checklist
The checklist is designed to be collaborative. Bring together key stakeholders—project managers, procurement teams, and commercial advisors—to review each component. Assess readiness across planning, systems, processes, and compliance, and use the checklist to create action plans for addressing gaps. It’s not just a tick-box exercise but a strategic framework to ensure alignment and preparedness.
When to Use It
The Commercial and Procurement Readiness Checklist is most effective when used at two critical points in the procurement process:
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At the Start of the Procurement Process: Use the checklist as soon as the need for engagement is identified and you are about to begin the procurement process. This ensures all foundational elements—such as scope clarity, systems, and approvals—are in place before developing procurement strategies or engaging suppliers. Starting with the checklist at this stage prevents missteps and sets the stage for a smooth procurement journey.
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Just Before Going to Market: Revisit the checklist as a final sounding board to confirm that everything remains aligned. Use it to verify that the market conditions, assumptions, and project requirements haven’t shifted in the weeks or months since the initial review. This step ensures you are still positioned for success, minimizing the risk of outdated assumptions or missed adjustments.
By applying the checklist at these key stages, teams can stay proactive, adaptable, and prepared to navigate both internal and external complexities in the procurement process.
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