In the professional procurement world, "Feel free to ignore procurement" is a phrase that often signals a chaotic or last-minute situation.

It's like saying, "Don't worry about getting everything ready on time. Just enjoy the rush and stress of trying to finish everything at the last minute." It's basically acknowledging that there's a lot of work to be done and that things might be a bit hectic, but suggesting that it's okay to just go with the flow and not worry too much about the details.

Imagine you're a project manager, and you've been working diligently to ensure that all the necessary materials and equipment are in place for your project. But then, someone from another department suddenly announces that they need a specific item that wasn't included in the original procurement plan. This last-minute request can throw your entire schedule into disarray.

Here's how "Feel free to ignore procurement" might play out in a professional setting:

• A rush order: A client suddenly needs a product delivered within a very short timeframe. This requires the procurement team to scramble to find a supplier who can meet the tight deadline.
• A change in specifications: A product or service that has already been ordered needs to be modified to meet new requirements. This can necessitate changes in the procurement process, such as finding a different supplier or renegotiating terms.
• A supply chain disruption: An unexpected event, such as a natural disaster or a global pandemic, can disrupt the flow of goods and services. This can force procurement teams to find alternative sources for materials or to adjust their sourcing strategies.

In these situations, "Feel free to ignore procurement" can be interpreted as a way of saying, "Don't worry about the usual rules and procedures. We need to get this done as quickly as possible, even if it means taking some shortcuts." While this approach can sometimes be necessary to meet urgent deadlines, it can also lead to problems in the long run.

Ignoring procurement can have several negative consequences:

• Increased costs: When procurement is rushed or done without careful planning, it can lead to higher prices, unexpected fees, or quality issues.
• Delays: Last-minute changes to the procurement process can cause delays in the delivery of goods or services, which can impact the overall project timeline.
• Risk management issues: Ignoring procurement can increase the risk of supply chain disruptions, quality problems, or legal issues.

When procurement is treated as an afterthought, businesses face a ripple effect of issues: missed opportunities, inflated costs, and a reactive approach to problems that could have been avoided. But when procurement is embedded in the early stages of planning, it enables smarter decisions, stronger supplier relationships, and the agility to navigate market fluctuations. The companies that thrive in today’s competitive environment are those that don’t just focus on purchasing—they focus on strategic procurement. It’s the difference between simply buying and truly optimizing value.

Therefore, while it may sometimes be necessary to be flexible and adaptable in the procurement process, it's important to strike a balance between speed and efficiency and careful planning and risk management.