The Art and Science of Sourcing

When is a Process an Art and not Science?

We have identified certain activities of the sourcing process that are distinctly different from others--requiring judgment, a creative response to variable conditions, sensitivity to the dynamics that exist within change—skills that need something other than a quantitative hand.

Many procurement processes remain, without a doubt, scientific—data collection and manipulation, for one. In the recent past several years, the world of business has focused on the scientific standardization of processes in an attempt to regiment all processes.

Without question businesses have made tremendous gains. Yet, there are processes that refuse to be mechanized, formularized—where the information is variable, qualitative, and the outcomes can vary broadly. These are the processes that work best when recognized as “art”, when individual judgment, wisdom, and skill produce the best outcome.¹

¹ Hall, Joseph M., Johnson, M. Eric “When Should a Process Be Art, Not Science”, Harvard Business Review, Mar. 09