Overview

For this course is the analysis of a case study through the lens of a project procurement officer. You will select one case study from a set of provided cases. You will analyze how the elements of the procurement process address all phases of the expected procurement—conduct, execute, control, and close—and discuss the considerations and analyses that inform the development of a comprehensive procurement management plan.

Every project requires some amount of procurement to support the activities of the project team. The procurement may be purchasing standard products such as computers, software, or furniture used by a website development team. Or the procurement may be more complex, such as the custom development of a new ruggedized, weatherproof, external battery smartphone case. In the former example, the procurement may be highly focused on finding the lowest-cost, compliant supplier. In the latter example, the procurement may focus on finding the most technically competent supplier. As a procurement professional, you must know the preferred methods to satisfy the requirements demanded by both types of projects.

In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

Select appropriate contract types that align with procurement requirements in maximizing value and minimizing risk for the buyer

Differentiate procurement processes between the United States and international environments in ensuring compliance with local regulations and adherence to best practices

Select appropriate evaluation tools for identifying vendors that best satisfy procurement requirements and provide maximum value

Evaluate contracting decisions for the extent to which they satisfy key procurement principles of value for money, ethics, competition, transparency, and accountability

Assess the components of a procurement management plan for their ability to satisfy the requirements of the project

Prompt

The development of a procurement management plan begins by collecting and analyzing inputs from the project such as, but not limited to, the project scope statement, project schedule, project budget profile, organizational assets (company policies, standard terms and conditions), statement of work, technical specification, and verification requirements. Based on the analysis of project requirements, the type of contract, the bid process, and evaluation process are each defined.

You will analyze and discuss the considerations and choices that inform the development of a procurement management plan that satisfies the procurement scenario described in the selected case study. The analysis should be comprehensive and cover all the considerations of how an effective procurement is executed from initiation to closure.

For this assessment, you will select  Harvard Business Publishing case study 

GlaxoSmithKline: Sourcing Complex Professional Services

 and analyze the case from the perspective of the project’s procurement officer. Ensure the procurement analysis considers all phases of the expected procurement: conduct, execute, control, and close.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed in your analysis:

Overview of Procurement Management Plans

Discuss the purpose of a procurement management plan.

Define the basic components of a procurement management plan.

Explain how each major component of a procurement management plan satisfies the project or organizational requirements in the case study.

Contract Types

Define each type of contract.

Assess contract types for their suitability for different types of projects (construction, design, services, products, etc.).

Assess contract types for their ability to maximize value and minimize risk for the buyer.

Select the most appropriate contract type(s) for the procurement plan in the case study. Be sure to justify your rationale with research.

Procurement Regulations in United States and Abroad

Discuss procurement regulations required by local, regional, and federal governments with regard to specific types of procurements executed in the United States (e.g., Manchester, New Hampshire).

Discuss procurement regulations required by local, regional, and federal governments with regard to specific types of procurements executed internationally(e.g., Manchester, United Kingdom).

Summarize the differences between the domestic and international procurement regulations discussed above.

Determine which procurement regulations would apply to the procurement plan in the case study, and explain your reasoning. In other words, will you be required to follow domestic or international regulations, or both? Why?

Source Selection

Describe common source selection criteria used to evaluate vendor proposals.

Select an appropriate vendor evaluation tool suitable for identifying vendors for the procurement plan in the case study. The tool you select should employ appropriate selection criteria and be capable of producing a summary evaluation score.

Assess the vendor evaluation tool produced for its effectiveness in satisfying the project requirements and providing maximum value to the buyer in the case study.

Procurement in Practice

Summarize the key principles of value for money, ethics, competition, transparency, and accountability.

Discuss the importance of the key principles in effective procurement.

Evaluate the contracting decisions described in the case study for the extent to which they satisfy key procurement principles of value for money, ethics, competition, transparency, and accountability (i.e., the field situations, situational decision making, etc.)