Cut Cost Through Effective IT Category Planning | Info-Tech Research Group

IT departments typically approach sourcing a new vendor or negotiating a contract renewal as an ad hoc event.
There is a lack of understanding on how category planning governance can save money.
IT vendor “go to market” or sourcing activities are typically not planned and are a reaction to internal client demands or vendor contract expiration.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

Lack of knowledge of the benefits and features of category management, including the perception that the sourcing process takes too long, are two of the most common challenges that prevent IT from category planning.
Other challenges include the traditional view of contract renegotiation and vendor acquisition as a transactional event vs. an ongoing strategic process.
Finally, allocating resources and time to collect the data, vendor information, and marketing analysis prevents us from creating category plans.

Impact and Result

An IT category plan establishes a consistent and proactive methodology or process to sourcing activities such as request for information (RFI), request for proposals, (RFPs), and direct negotiations with a specific vendor or“targeted negotiations” such as renewals.
The goal of an IT category plan is to leverage a strategic approach to vendor selection while identify cost optimizing opportunities that are aligned with IT strategy and budget objectives.

Cut Cost Through Effective IT Category Planning Research & Tools

Start here – read the Executive Brief

Read our concise Executive Brief to find out why you should create an IT category plan to reduce your IT cost, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and understand the four ways we can support you in completing this project.

Cut Cost Through Effective IT Category Planning – Executive Brief

1. Create an IT category plan

Use our three-step approach of Organize, Design, and Execute an IT Category Plan to get the most out of your IT budget while proactively planning your vendor negotiations.

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A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your IT problems.

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Author

Steve Jeffery

Contributors

Austin Davis, Senior Sourcing Consultant Windstream
3 anonymous company contributors

Search Code: 94709
Last Revised: October 23, 2020

TAGS:

Vendor Management, Category Planning, Cost Reductions, ROI, RFP, Negotiations, Sourcing, Request for Proposals, Budget Reduction

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