What does early supplier involvement (ESI) entail?

Early Supplier Involvement (ESI) is a strategic approach where suppliers are engaged early in the product or service development process. This collaboration allows manufacturers or service providers to tap into the suppliers' expertise, which can lead to innovations, cost reductions, and improvements in quality. By including suppliers from the outset, organizations can better align their capabilities with the project's requirements, facilitating a more efficient development process.

Involving suppliers in this initial phase can lead to enhanced communication and the identification of potential challenges early on, resulting in solutions that might not have been considered if suppliers were brought on board at a later stage. This engagement fosters a partnership that can improve overall project outcomes and lead to a more streamlined path to market.

The other options, while relevant to supplier relationships in different contexts, do not accurately describe the essence of ESI. Measuring supplier performance post-delivery focuses on evaluation after the product is completed, while excluding suppliers contradicts the principle of ESI. Prioritizing cost over collaboration undermines the value of the partnership that ESI aims to achieve.