Finance & supply chain · Short course
Demand and Acquisition Management
Translating organisational needs into acquisition planning and purchasing decisions.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Translating organisational needs into acquisition planning and purchasing decisions.
The programme brings together demand analysis, acquisition planning, purchasing processes and demand review. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: Urgent purchases repeatedly occur because departments submit incomplete or late requirements. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Demand planners, acquisition staff and departmental requestors.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Review demand information and identify missing specifications.
- Build a coordinated acquisition schedule.
- Map the purchasing decisions and required supporting records.
- Create a process for reviewing changes to planned demand.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Demand analysis
This part of the programme examines demand analysis, with attention to needs, forecasts and specifications. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Needs.
- Forecasts.
- Specifications.
- Applied work: review demand information and identify missing specifications.
Illustrative practical exercise
Review demand information and identify missing specifications. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Acquisition planning
This part of the programme examines acquisition planning, with attention to timing, resources and sourcing options. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Timing.
- Resources.
- Sourcing options.
- Applied work: build a coordinated acquisition schedule.
Illustrative practical exercise
Build a coordinated acquisition schedule. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Purchasing processes
This part of the programme examines purchasing processes, with attention to responsibilities and decision records. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Responsibilities.
- Decision records.
- Applied work: map the purchasing decisions and required supporting records.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map the purchasing decisions and required supporting records. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Demand review
This part of the programme examines demand review, with attention to changing needs and procurement performance. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Changing needs.
- Procurement performance.
- Applied work: create a process for reviewing changes to planned demand.
Illustrative practical exercise
Create a process for reviewing changes to planned demand. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
Urgent purchases repeatedly occur because departments submit incomplete or late requirements. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.