Sourcing SORC
Managing, or providing advice on, the procurement or commissioning of products and services.
Updates for SFIA 9
- There is an updated version of this skill for SFIA 9.
- Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Support for procurement-related skills, Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions).
- Content and/or readability changes have been made to levels 6 and 7.
- You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
- Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.
Guidance notes
Activities may include — but are not limited to:
- providing policies and standards for procurement
- commercial governance, compliance to legislation and assurance of information security
- implementing compliant procurement processes, taking full account of the issues and imperatives of both the commissioning and supplier sides
- clarifying requirements for products and services
- identifying, evaluating and selecting suppliers
- evaluating tenders
- developing "build or buy" criteria
- evaluating and purchasing cloud-based services
- benchmarking supplier performance
- placing, monitoring and terminating contracts.
Levels of responsibility for this skill
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Sourcing: Level 1
This skill is not typically observed or practiced at this level of responsibility and accountability.
Sourcing: Level 2
Assists in the preparation of pre-qualification questionnaires and tender invitations in response to business cases.
Assembles relevant information for tenders.
Produces detailed evaluation criteria for simple tender criteria.
Assists in the evaluation of tenders.
Sourcing: Level 3
Prepares pre-qualification questionnaires and tender invitations in response to business cases.
Recognises the difference between open source and proprietary systems options.
Applies standard procedures and tools to produce detailed evaluation criteria for complex tenders and to evaluate tenders.
Sourcing: Level 4
Reviews business cases (requirements, potential benefits and options) and determines appropriate procurement routes.
Using market knowledge to inform specifications, ensures detailed pre-qualification questionnaires and tender invitations are prepared.
Collects and collates data to support collaboration and negotiates terms and conditions to reflect the scale of requirements and encourage good performance.
Evaluates tenders based on specification and evaluation criteria, prepares acceptance documentation and advises on contracts and service level agreements.
Sourcing: Level 5
Plans and manages procurement activities.
Manages tender, evaluation and acquisition processes. Researches suppliers and markets, and maintains a broad understanding of the commercial environment, to inform and develop commercial strategies and sourcing plans.
Advises on the business case for alternative sourcing models. Advises on policy and procedures covering tendering, the selection of suppliers and procurement.
Negotiates with potential partners and suppliers, developing acceptance criteria and procedures. Drafts and places contracts.
Sourcing: Level 6
Develops policy and procedures for sourcing and procurement activities.
Establishes procurement strategies, standards, methods, processes and good practices that ensure compliance with legislation, regulation and third-party information security.
Leads the procurement process, from clarifying requirements through to placing, monitoring and terminating contracts.
Identifies external partners, engaging with professionals in related disciplines as appropriate. Ensures that terms and conditions are aligned with current legislation and policy.
Sourcing: Level 7
Determines overall strategies for managing supplier relationships, embracing effective operational relationships at all levels.
Takes overall responsibility for sourcing and procurement activities.
Develops, deploys and reviews acquisition processes.
Negotiates major contracts.