“We’ll Try to Get the Reports Done This Year” – What Happens When Procurement Can’t Lead with Data?

Data-driven decision-making is essential for procurement, but what happens when reports and insights are always ‘coming later’? When procurement teams have to wait months for critical data, decisions are made blindly, supplier collaboration suffers, and strategic impact is lost. This blog explores how to ensure that procurement gets the right data at the right time.

📊 February. The procurement team requests updated supplier performance data.

📢 The answer? “We’ll try to get the reports done this year.”

📅 This answer was given in February.

When procurement lacks real-time data, decisions are made blindly. Procurement loses its ability to proactively manage costs, supplier risks, and long-term value creation.

Without Data, Procurement Loses Its Strategic Role.

A team responsible for supplier management asked for better analytics. They needed up-to-date data on supplier performance and costs to drive smarter collaboration.

But they were told:

🗣️ “We’ll try to get the reports done this year.”

📉 If data-driven decision-making is delayed by a year, how can procurement truly support business objectives?

📍 The consequences:

🚨 Decisions are made without proper analysis.

🚨 Supplier collaboration is based on intuition, not facts.

🚨 Procurement becomes reactive, waiting for data instead of leading with it.

How to Overcome Barriers to Data-Driven Procurement?

🔹 Procurement must move away from waiting for reports—data needs to be available in real-time.

🔹 Processes should support decision-making, not just compliance.

🔹 Access to data is crucial for procurement to be a strategic function.

Conclusion

⚠️ If procurement has to wait for information, it loses its ability to make an impact.

🔥 How do you ensure that procurement has access to the right data when it’s needed? Comment below and let’s continue the discussion!

What Happens When Procurement Can’t Lead with Data - Want More Ideas?

💡 Looking for more insights on procurement development? My blogs and videos provide practical perspectives and concrete takeaways to help make procurement more impactful and strategic. Explore them and find ideas to apply in your work!

📖 BLOGS (in English): https://en.leadersbeaconedu.com/nakokulmiajaoivalluksia

📖 BLOGS (in Finnish): https://www.leadersbeaconedu.com/nakokulmiajaoivalluksia

🎥VIDEOS:https://www.youtube.com/@Parempaahankintaa (Sorry, in Finnish)

What are your thoughts on Procurement Can’t Lead with Data? Share your experiences and let’s discuss in the comments! 👇