Failure in sourcing has grown to be one of today's most complex business issues. Whether you are buying or selling office supplies or outsourcing entire information technology functions, sourcing can become a liability if not properly planned and executed.
This paper examines the complexities of the sourcing environment and the five types of sourcing. It introduces the Sourcing Continuum, a model that illustrates, from both the buyer's and seller's perspective, the complexity and risk of sourcing initiatives. It also provides the Collaborative Sourcing Process, a repeatable life-cycle model that can be used to identify organizational activities for sourcing initiatives. This model serves as a guide to developing cross-functional competencies within your organization, ultimately allowing your sourcing professionals to form collaborative teams and employ the communication essential to successful sourcing.