The “Book of Procurement”

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What is procurement?

Procurement is quite simply the acquisition of goods or services’ where it is favourable that the goods and services procured are appropriate and that they are purchased at the best possible cost to meet the needs of the purchaser in terms of quality and quantity, time and location.

British engineer and architect Sir Evan Owen Williams who was appointed chief consulting civil engineer to the British Empire Exhibition and old Wembley Stadium knew a thing or two about successful procurement and, particularly in today’s economic climate, his advice stands as true today as it did in 1924.

You need to understand what you are buying, and why, how it will affect your business, and what the potential risks are. That detailed understanding may be beyond the scope of a procurement department – Owen Williams

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