Who qualifies as a stakeholder in the procurement process?

In the context of the procurement process, a stakeholder is defined as anyone who has an interest in or is affected by decisions made throughout the procurement lifecycle. This encompasses a wide range of individuals and entities, including internal team members, suppliers, customers, and possibly even external regulators or community stakeholders.

By recognizing that anyone with a vested interest in the procurement process qualifies as a stakeholder, it underscores the importance of communication and engagement with diverse groups to ensure that the procurement activities align with broader objectives and fulfill various needs. This perspective promotes a more inclusive approach to decision-making, recognizing that procurement outcomes can influence and be influenced by a multitude of parties.

The other options do not accurately reflect this broader definition of a stakeholder:

• A person with no influence on procurement outcomes clearly does not meet the criteria of being a stakeholder since their lack of influence or interest means they are not directly impacted by procurement decisions.

• A buyer solely responsible for contract terms may play a significant role, but they do not encompass the full range of stakeholders involved, which includes many others who may have interests in the process.

• While a supplier providing goods or services is indeed a crucial stakeholder, limiting the definition to just suppliers overlooks the numerous other individuals or groups that could have an interest in the