This case study introduces students to procurement challenges, ethical considerations, supplier evaluation methodologies, and strategic negotiation techniques. The evaluation seeks to enhance their capability to critically evaluate procurement situations, design strategic remedies, and oversee procurement contracts efficiently. This assessment will provide students with the ability to further mimic decision-making and risk mitigation, important for navigating both complex private and public procurement settings.

A real-world, complex procurement case study with challenges in both private and public sector procurement will be presented to students. It will also encompass issues around strategic procurement planning, ethical dilemmas, supplier evaluation, negotiation, contract management, and innovation. Students will analyse the case, determine key procurement challenges, and create a strategic procurement plan that addresses these challenges and justifies recommendations. The length of the assessment should comprise 1,500 words (+/- 10%).

This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS) Level 1. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. AIAS Level 1 states: The assessment is completed entirely without AI assistance in a controlled environment, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

For further details about the assessment, please refer to the unit’s Moodle page.

Your assessment will be marked on the following criteria:

• Analysis of procurement problems in public and private sectors (20%).
• Application of relevant procurement frameworks, literature, and best practices (25%).
• Ability to act ethically, keeping with laws & regulations, with disclosure of procurement (15%).
• Evaluation of literature on industrial buying & its applications (20%).
• Integration of innovative procurement strategy and risk management approach (10%).
• Logical flow, professional writing, and referencing academic sources (10%).

This assessment is intended to give students a hands-on experience with contract negotiation as applied to procurement processes. Procurement professionals must have strong negotiation skills to secure favorable terms, manage risks, and foster sustainable supplier relationships. This practical assessment will simulate a real-world contract negotiation scenario, enabling students to apply advanced negotiation techniques, ethical considerations, and strategic decision-making.

Students will participate in a contract negotiation simulation, taking on the role of procurement professionals responsible for negotiating a contract with a supplier. Each participant or group will be provided with a scenario outlining procurement needs, constraints, and organizational goals, requiring them to develop a strategic negotiation plan that incorporates supplier analysis, risk considerations, and compliance criteria. As part of the exercise, students must prepare and execute an organized negotiation meeting, demonstrating effective negotiation strategies and ethical decision-making. Throughout the process, they will document the agreed contract terms and provide a rationale for key decisions made during the negotiation. Upon completion, students will submit a written negotiation report summarizing the negotiation process, strategies employed, and final contract terms. The report should comprise 1,500 words (+/- 10%). 

This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS) Level 1. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. AIAS Level 1 states: The assessment is completed entirely without AI assistance in a controlled environment, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

For further details about the assessment, please refer to the unit’s Moodle page.

Your assessment will be marked on the following criteria:

• Effective research conducted ahead of negotiation, risk assessment, and planning (20%).
• Negotiation tactics and persuasive communication (25%).
• Integration of ethical principles and ensuring compliance with legal requirements (15%).
• Procurement risk identification and mitigation in contract terms (20%).
• Logical flow, professional presentation, and evidence-based rationale for contract decisions (10%).
• Evidence of teamwork and stakeholder engagement and participation in the negotiation (10%).

This assessment is aimed at having students develop creative ways through procurement to increase efficiency, savings, and added value in organisational procurement. It emphasizes the channels for the implementation of innovative technologies to gain visibility with sustainable practices and process improvements to streamline procurement functions. Through this project, students will be able to devise and rationalize creative procurement solutions relevant to a real-world business problem.

Students are required to develop a comprehensive, innovative procurement plan that outlines a procurement-related improvement incorporating technology, sustainability, or process optimization. The plan should begin with the identification of a potential procurement challenge or inefficiency within an organization or industry, followed by a proposed innovative solution that clearly defines specific objectives and anticipated outcomes. To substantiate the innovation, students must justify their approach using procurement theories, industry best practices, or relevant data, demonstrating the uniqueness and effectiveness of the proposed solution. Additionally, the plan should include a risk assessment, ethical considerations, and an evaluation of regulatory compliance to ensure feasibility and adherence to procurement standards. A structured action implementation plan with defined milestones and key performance indicators must be provided to illustrate how the innovation will be executed.

Finally, students will be required to professionally deliver an in-class PowerPoint presentation that highlights the key aspects of the project, effectively communicating their procurement strategy and its potential impact. The written assessment should comprise of 2,000 words (+/- 10%).

This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS) Level 1. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. AIAS Level 1 states: The assessment is completed entirely without AI assistance in a controlled environment, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills. You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

For further details about the assessment, please refer to the unit’s Moodle page.

Your assessment will be marked on the following criteria:

• Clearly define the procurement challenge and justify why it is significant (20%).
• Submit a researched, thorough, and creative procurement innovation (20%).
• Incorporate relevant theories, frameworks, and data to support the proposal (15%).
• Describe compliance, ethical procurement, and potential risks (15%).
• Present a practical, if necessarily high-level, plan for how the project will be put into action (10%).
• Writing must be clear, logical, and referenced appropriately (10%).
• Professional slides that highlight main points and conclusions (10%).