Episode 10: Technology procurement category planning

How to approach technology procurement category planning

Technology procurement is far more complex than simply buying products or services. This episode explains how organisations can prepare themselves to make smarter, more strategic decisions by building a clear category strategy and understanding the foundations that support it.

Understanding the importance of good data

The foundation of strong category planning is reliable data about the current technology estate. Many organisations do not document even the basics, which makes it difficult to plan ahead or make informed choices.

Key details to capture include supplier lists, contract information, spend, contract expiry dates, and any associated risks. Bringing this information together builds a clear picture of the existing supplier landscape. With this visibility, it becomes far easier to manage upcoming decisions, reduce duplication, and identify where improvements are needed.

Mapping and engaging stakeholders

The second key step is stakeholder engagement. Understanding who to speak to in the business, what their priorities are, and how they influence technology decisions is critical.

There is real value in creating a stakeholder map that highlights who is essential for specific projects and who plays a broader strategic role. This helps ensure procurement planning aligns with the wider IT strategy and prevents unnecessary renewals or decisions that conflict with long-term priorities.

Using external resources to support procurement planning

There are many credible bodies and resources that can support effective procurement, including professional institutions and industry analyst content. These offer guidance on running structured procurement processes across all categories, including technology. Specialist consultants can also help organisations create robust strategies and improve stakeholder engagement.

Final thoughts

Effective category planning starts with data, followed by strong stakeholder engagement. With these foundations in place, organisations can build procurement strategies that align to business priorities, reduce risk, and improve long-term efficiency.

If your organisation wants support with developing a technology procurement strategy or improving category planning, get in touch.