The first step in A.T. Kearney's 7 Step Model of Strategic Sourcing is Supplier Portfolio Generation. The model provides a structured approach to sourcing, beginning with an understanding of current spend and supplier landscape before progressing to strategy development and implementation.
The seven steps are:
* Profile spend and supply base.
* Develop sourcing strategy and cost comparison.
* Generate supplier portfolio.
* Select implementation path.
* Select competitive suppliers.
* Integrate operations with suppliers.
* Continuously benchmark supply market.
The reason supplier portfolio generation is first is because procurement must identify potential suppliers and the overall supply base structure before choosing strategies or engaging in competitive selection. Skipping this step risks building a strategy without understanding available market options.
Thus, while options C and D are important later in the process, they cannot occur without first mapping the supplier portfolio.
[Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, Chapter 1.2 - Strategic Sourcing Models, esp. p.31-32]

Within the Boston Consulting Group [BCG] Matrix, a Cash Cow represents a product or business unit that holds a high market share in a low-growth market. These products typically generate strong and stable cash flows because they dominate their markets with little new competition. Although growth opportunities are limited, these units require minimal investment and often fund other parts of the business.
For example, a well-established soft drinks brand in a mature market is a classic cash cow. While sales are stable and market share is high, growth potential is low due to saturation. This differs from:
* Stars [high share, high growth] which require significant investment.
* Question Marks [low share, high growth] which may or may not succeed.
* Dogs [low share, low growth] which are often candidates for divestment.
In category management, identifying cash cows helps procurement teams prioritise efficiency and cost management, ensuring these categories remain profitable without heavy strategic input.
[Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.117 - BCG Matrix and procurement strategy]

For strategic items, Kraljic recommends further analysis through a 3x3 supply positioning matrix, which compares buyer strength against market strength. This creates three possible strategies: exploit, balance, diversify.
Reference: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.102

Supplier power is strong when buyers have fewer choices and suppliers have leverage. This occurs where:
* No substitutes are available [A]: Buyers are locked into what suppliers provide, increasing supplier power.
* Supplier's customers are fragmented [B]: When customers are fragmented [many small buyers], they cannot collectively negotiate, so suppliers hold more power.
* Forward integration is possible [D]: Suppliers can bypass buyers and sell directly to the end customer, which gives them negotiating strength.
Options C and E relate more to buyer power:
* Switching costs are low [C]: This reduces supplier power as buyers can easily move.
* Undifferentiated products [E]: This strengthens buyer power since products are interchangeable.
[Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.116 - Porter's Five Forces model]

A Category Plan is a strategic document that sets out how a category will be managed to deliver organisational objectives. It typically includes:
* Supply market analysis to understand supplier dynamics, competition, and risks.
* Category objectives, which align with organisational strategy and specify what procurement aims to achieve.
* Category risks, which outline potential threats and mitigation strategies.
HR information and a full history of the category are not required, as the plan is forward-looking, focusing on strategy rather than operational details. While historical context may be summarised in an executive overview, it does not form a full section. A well-structured Category Plan supports better decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and ensures consistent management of spend. It provides a roadmap for how value will be captured, risks managed, and supplier relationships developed. Without it, category management risks becoming reactive and fragmented.
Reference: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.10