A Comprehensive Guide To Obtaining Value From An Indirect Spend Dashboard

Indirect Spend Dashboard


When executives in the finance department are seeking source-to-pay solution for their organizations, one goal should be to obtain value from an Indirect Spend Dashboard. comprehensive approach to understanding what can be gained from such solution requires consideration of variety of facets. In order to create win-win situation, wherein company not only gains insight into their indirect expenditures and different spending patterns, but also determine ways to save costs and increase efficiency, executives must understand and support the implementation of such solution.

First, executives should assess the condition of their current system, as every company is unique and may have different procedures and processes in place. Asking the right questions can help uncover any issues with current processes. For example, whether there is any diversification of suppliers, the level of visibility into supplier information and how data is stored, and the capability of the system to handle the complexity of indirect spend activities. Once baseline understanding is established, executives can explore optimal solutions and measure the potential impact, in terms of improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Second, thorough review of the different aspects related to indirect expenditure needs to occur, because there are various paths that lead to resolving issues, such as cost optimization, transparency, liability, and risk management. Executives should take this time to analyze the available options, considering the pros and cons of implementing solution for indirect spend dashboard, such as cost savings, improved visibility, greater predictability of events, and the ability to comply with regulatory requirements.

Third, executives should ensure their organization has the necessary resources and personnel to implement this solution. Companies should look for vendor that has experience in the sector and strong track record for successful disengagement. The key to successful implementation is having the right stakeholders involved, as well as the right data points. Additionally, making sure the right software is being used to track and monitor the data is critical.

Fourth, it is important to understand the role of an indirect spend dashboard. It is important to distinguish the roles of demand aggregator and contract manager. The demand aggregator is responsible for gathering data from multiple systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, spreadsheets, and other disparate sources. This person should have the right skills and experience to bring together the data in unified format. The contract manager is the one responsible for managing the contracts, listing suppliers, and driving insight into new and existing contracts.

Finally, executives must know how to measure the success of the new solution. They should track and monitor different metrics, such as cost savings and efficiency gains. Additionally, they should assess the quality of data and ensure compliance with existing regulations.

By closely examining the different facets of an indirect spend dashboard, executives can gain valuable insight into how to achieve cost savings and improved efficiency. As with any system, it is important to follow comprehensive plan to ensure successful implementation of solution and measure the success of the solution over time. When executed properly, this approach is bound to generate long-term value for the organization.