Procurement Planning Basics

By: Jorge A. Lynch T.

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Are you involved in public or project procurement and seeking a solid foundation in planning? Whether you're just starting out or refreshing your skills, this updated edition of Procurement Planning Basics is your trusted guide to mastering the essential steps of effective procurement planning.

Written in clear, accessible language, this concise handbook demystifies procurement planning for new and aspiring professionals, while offering fresh insights for more experienced practitioners. Drawing from nearly three decades of real-world experience on donor-funded projects across the globe, the author brings practical clarity to the often-complex world of procurement management.

We plan procurements knowing it is only a ‘best case scenario’. We plan for uncertainties, but when it doesn’t work out, it gives us an indication of what went wrong—and we can use this to improve our future planning exercises. During implementation, the closer we get to performing according to the original plan, the better. This eBook addresses the basics of public procurement planning to help you strengthen that foundation.

This book explains:

• Why procurement planning is a critical first step to achieving transparency, efficiency, and value for money.
• What makes planning in procurement different—and indispensable—across goods, works, and services.
• How to identify genuine needs and convert them into SMART requirements.
• The four stages of procurement planning: needs assessment, strategy development, formal planning, and scheduling.
• Tips for selecting appropriate procurement methods based on value, complexity, clarity, urgency, and market dynamics.
• Common pitfalls in planning and how to avoid them.

You’ll also find helpful templates for procurement plans and schedules, practical advice for aligning plans with budgets, and strategies for coordinating with stakeholders and managing interdependencies.

Ideal for government officials, development professionals, procurement officers, and anyone responsible for planning procurements in public or donor-funded projects, this guide equips readers with the knowledge to plan procurements that are timely, cost-effective, and aligned with organizational goals.