Vendor Management KPIs
đź’ˇ Tip: Vendor management is a critical aspect of project management, and defining key performance indicators (KPIs) along with criteria for vendor selection is crucial for success. Here are some general KPIs and criteria that you should consider:
Cost Performance:
- KPI: Cost savings achieved through vendor negotiations and efficiencies.
- Criteria for Selection: Vendor’s history of providing cost-effective solutions and willingness to negotiate favorable terms.
Quality of Deliverables:
- KPI: Percentage of deliverables meeting or exceeding quality standards.
- Criteria for Selection: Past performance in delivering high-quality products or services and references from previous clients.
Timely Delivery:
- KPI: On-time delivery of products or services.
- Criteria for Selection: Vendor’s track record in meeting deadlines and delivery schedules.
Risk Management:
- KPI: Number of issues or incidents related to the vendor’s performance.
- Criteria for Selection: Vendor’s risk management strategies, contingency plans, and experience in handling unforeseen challenges.
Innovation and Technology:
- KPI: Percentage of projects where the vendor introduced innovative solutions or technology.
- Criteria for Selection: Vendor’s commitment to staying updated with the latest technologies and a history of contributing innovative ideas.
Communication Effectiveness:
- KPI: Frequency and clarity of communication between the project team and the vendor.
- Criteria for Selection: Vendor’s communication processes, responsiveness, and availability for regular updates and meetings.
Customer Satisfaction:
- KPI: Customer satisfaction scores or feedback from internal stakeholders.
- Criteria for Selection: Vendor’s history of client satisfaction, testimonials, and references.
Compliance and Ethics:
- KPI: Adherence to legal and ethical standards.
- Criteria for Selection: Vendor’s commitment to compliance with relevant laws and ethical business practices.
Flexibility and Scalability:
- KPI: Ability to adapt to changes in project scope or scale.
- Criteria for Selection: Vendor’s flexibility in accommodating changes, scalability of their solutions, and experience in handling diverse projects.
Financial Stability:
- KPI: Financial health and stability of the vendor.
- Criteria for Selection: Vendor’s financial statements, credit history, and overall financial stability.
Selection Process
- Assess the vendor in relation to your chosen KPIs
Assess each vendor in relation to their ability to meet your particular company objectives and project KPIs. - Build a shortlist of vendors
This shouldn’t just relate to their price, but also their ability to meet the project objectives and delivery timelines. - Select the best vendor to suit your needs.
Whittle your shortlist down to the one vendor who will help you reach your goals and achieve your targets. - Onboard your vendor.
This involves the documentation and information needed to set the vendor up as an approved supplier and to ensure that the vendor can be paid for the goods or services they provide. - Monitor performance
Ultimately in business, it’s all about ROI. Monitor vendor performance on a consistent basis to ensure delivery on project objectives and ROI. - Reward vendor performance
Ensure vendors are paid on time for their goods and services, in line with the agreed terms. You may also want to create certain rewards based on exceptional vendor performance.
Vendor Negotiation
These tips will help you manage the toughest of vendor negotiations. Remember that they’re in it to win it too!
- Seek a Win-Win:
Spend time to discover the vendor’s goals to help you find a better way to a mutually, beneficial agreement. - Know Actual Costs:
Do your homework before you start talking numbers. Be armed with facts, and check the competition and industry standards for reasonable rates. - Quiz their Customers:
The best data you can get from a supplier is from their customers. Don’t be afraid to ask for a list of customers you can talk to. - Quote Multiple Vendors:
Use the rule of three to gain competitive pricing. - Reviews are opportunities to review performance:
Every review meeting is an opportunity to review the performance of vendors and ensure delivery of ROI.
