Procurement Glossary
Pipeline of measures: Systematic planning and control of procurement measures
November 19, 2025
The action pipeline is a key tool in strategic Procurement the systematic planning, prioritization, and tracking of procurement measures. It enables purchasing organizations to coordinate their activities in a structured manner and to monitor the progress of various initiatives transparently. Read on to find out what an action pipeline is, which methods are used, and how you can successfully implement it in your company.
Key Facts
- Structured planning tool for coordinating all procurement activities
- Enables prioritization of measures according to benefit, effort, and strategic relevance
- Provides a transparent overview of the status and progress of ongoing initiatives
- Supports resource allocation and capacity planning in Procurement
- Improves communication between Procurement internal stakeholders
Contents
Definition: Pipeline of measures
A Procurement pipeline Procurement the systematic recording, evaluation, and tracking of all planned and ongoing procurement measures.
Core elements of the pipeline of measures
The pipeline comprises various components for structured measure management:
- Identification and evaluation of measures
- Prioritization according to defined criteria
- Resource allocation and scheduling
- Progress tracking and status reporting
Pipeline of measures vs. project management
While traditional project management focuses on individual projects, the measures pipeline considers the entire portfolio of procurement activities. It provides a comprehensive view of all initiatives and their interdependencies.
Significance of the pipeline of measures in Procurement
The pipeline acts as a strategic management tool that links product group strategies with operational implementation. It supports the systematic realization of savings potential and process improvements.
Methods and procedures
The successful implementation of a pipeline of measures requires structured methods for recording, evaluating, and controlling procurement measures.
Identification and collection of measures
Systematic data collection is carried out using various sources and analysis methods. Potential is derived from portfolio analyses and market observations:
- Stakeholder workshops for gathering ideas
- Analysis of existing contracts and supplier relationships
- Benchmarking and identification of best practices
Evaluation and prioritization
Each measure is evaluated and prioritized based on defined criteria. The Kraljic Matrix can serve as a basis for strategic classification. Evaluation criteria include savings potential, implementation costs, and risk assessment.
Pipeline management and tracking
Continuous monitoring is carried out through regular reviews and status updates. Milestones are defined and progress is documented so that control measures can be initiated in a timely manner.
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Key KPIs for the pipeline of measures
Measuring the success of a pipeline of measures requires specific key performance indicators to assess efficiency and effectiveness.
Pipeline volume and throughput times
Key metrics include the number of active measures, average processing times, and completion rates. These metrics show the operational efficiency of the pipeline:
- Number of measures per status category
- Average turnaround time from initiation to completion
- Success rate of completed measures
Financial performance indicators
The economic evaluation is carried out by measuring savings and considering ROI. Both realized and projected savings are recorded and compared with the cost of implementing the measures.
Quality and risk indicators
Quality indicators assess the sustainability and risk adequacy of the measures. These include changes in supplier performance and the development of procurement risks after implementation of the measures.
Risks, dependencies and countermeasures
Various risks may arise during the implementation and use of action pipelines, which must be addressed proactively.
Resource overload and capacity issues
An overly ambitious pipeline can lead to overburdening of available resources. Realistic capacity planning and regular priority reviews are essential. Integration into merchandise category management helps to ensure a balanced distribution of resources.
Lack of stakeholder acceptance
Inadequate communication and a lack of transparency can lead to resistance. Regular updates and clear communication of the benefits are essential:
- Transparent presentation of progress and achievements
- Involvement of relevant stakeholders in planning processes
- Clear definition of roles and responsibilities
Loss of quality due to overmodulation
Too frequent adjustments can compromise the quality of the measures. A balance between flexibility and stability is necessary to achieve sustainable results.
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Practical example
An automotive supplier implements a digital pipeline of measures for its global procurement. The company identifies 45 optimization measures in various Categories, ranging from supplier consolidation to specification adjustments. Through systematic prioritization based on savings potential and implementation effort, the 12 measures with the highest ROI are launched first. The pipeline makes it possible to track progress transparently and identify resource conflicts at an early stage.
- Quarterly pipeline reviews with all product group managers
- Dashboard-based real-time tracking of all measures
- Realized savings of €2.3 million in the first year
Current developments and effects
Digitalization and new technologies are changing the way measure pipelines are designed and managed.
Digital pipeline tools and automation
Modern software solutions enable automated recording and evaluation of measures. Dashboard-based systems offer real-time insights into pipeline status and support data-driven decisions.
AI-supported identification of measures
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing potential identification through automatic analysis of spending data and market information. Machine learning algorithms can recognize patterns and suggest optimization opportunities that would be difficult to identify manually.
Agile pipeline methods
Agile approaches are becoming increasingly important in order to respond flexibly to market changes. Short iteration cycles and continuous adjustments to sourcing strategies enable more dynamic control of measures.
Conclusion
The measures pipeline is establishing itself as an indispensable management tool for modern purchasing organizations. It enables the systematic coordination of all procurement activities and creates transparency regarding progress and resource utilization. Structured prioritization and continuous monitoring ensure that savings potential is realized optimally. Success depends largely on consistent implementation and regular adaptation to changing market conditions.
FAQ
What distinguishes a pipeline of measures from a normal project plan?
A pipeline of measures takes a comprehensive view of the entire portfolio of procurement activities, while project plans focus on individual projects. It enables prioritization, resource allocation, and dependency management across all measures and provides a strategic overview of all purchasing activities.
How often should a pipeline of measures be updated?
The pipeline should be reviewed at least monthly and adjusted as necessary. More comprehensive reviews with a reassessment of priorities are carried out on a quarterly basis. In the event of critical market changes or internal developments, ad hoc adjustments may also be necessary to ensure that the pipeline remains up to date and relevant.
What role does the pipeline of measures play in budget planning?
The pipeline serves as the basis for resource and budget planning in Procurement. It shows the expected costs for implementing measures and projected savings. This enables informed budget allocation and supports the justification of investments in procurement optimization to management.
How is the success of a pipeline of measures measured?
Success is measured using various KPIs: realized savings, throughput times, completion rates, and quality indicators. It is also important to evaluate the achievement of strategic goals and improve purchasing performance. Regular performance measurements enable continuous optimization of pipeline processes.
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