The Principles of the Toolkit
There are seven key principles that have guided the development of this toolkit:
The first is that it is aimed at those who are involved in buying and selling security products and services. So all the examples are security-related and security is the exclusive focus, albeit that others buying and selling in related disciplines – such as Health and Safety, Facilities Management – may find it useful.
Second, the toolkit is aimed at being relevant to both those with little knowledge of security procurement and to those who are experts. For the former, the advice and tips may serve as a major source of guidance to their own approaches, to the latter as a reminder or aide memoir.
Third, the toolkit has been designed so that each section is self contained, readers do not have to plough through every section and it has been designed to be user-friendly.
Fourth, the aim has not been to provide you with everything you need to know to undertake procurement effectively. As a cursory view of any books on procurement in a library or bookshop will reveal (if you can find them that is), buying and selling has emerged as a discipline in its own right developing its own body of knowledge, represented in the UK by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).
Fifth, this toolkit does not advocate any particular or specific approach to procurement. It is derived from a number of practices and the content is mostly aimed at providing practical advice. It does not endorse any approach nor is it endorsed by any organisation or association, it has not sought that.
Sixth, the content provides a mixture of explaining why some processes are important and necessary, and advice on how to conduct them to generate the best advantages.
Seventh, the content is gained from reviewing practical advice from books, reports and other publications but is primarily based on original research with buyers and suppliers operating in the security sphere.
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