Courses

A vague specification produces bids that cannot be compared; a specification copied from a supplier's catalogue shuts out competition; a service with no acceptance criteria ends in an argument. This course is for people who request technical purchases and services and want to get it right first time. You will learn to tell the need from the solution, to consider alternatives to buying and to involve purchasing from the start. You will write clear, measurable functional, performance and technical specifications that are open to competition, refer to standards, use the words ‘or equivalent’ correctly and avoid rigged specifications. Finally, you will draw up the scope of a service with deliverables, deadlines and service levels, set acceptance criteria for goods and services, and use a checklist to review the requisition before submitting it. With an international perspective, a fictitious company, practical exercises and a checklist to download.

What you will learn

• By the end of the course, learners will be able to analyse a need and decide what should be bought.
• By the end of the course, learners will be able to write clear, measurable specifications that are open to competition.
• By the end of the course, learners will be able to draw up the scope of a service with deliverables, service levels and acceptance criteria.

Modules

1. Defining the need before buying28 min
2. Functional, performance and technical specifications26 min
3. Service scope and acceptance criteria36 min

Who it is for

Technical and service requisitioners