Without a streamlined and transparent procurement process, it is challenging for governments to focus on results or to progress on new initiatives. A frustrating procurement process can even make staff more focused on their strategy for navigating a bureaucracy, crowding out time for the more strategic thinking about what goals and outcomes a new contracted service or program should achieve. A confusing set of steps also can also mean that fewer vendors - especially small firms and minority- or women-owned businesses - bid on opportunities.
Process mapping is an excellent first step toward reducing cycle times and building stakeholder engagement to jumpstart procurement reform. In this quick read, we share tips for beginning process mapping and how it can be used to build stakeholder buy-in.