One Year Anniversary Page
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Celebrating Our First Anniversary
Kailey Burger Ayogu
Managing Director
Dear Procurement Excellence Network members,
I am so excited to announce the one-year anniversary of this virtual community built by and for procurement professionals!
For years, our procurement team at the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab dreamed of scaling our lessons learned from procurement transformation projects across the country. Now, in collaboration with you, we have created this impactful community to support procurement change agents in launching procurement reforms.
We’ve had quite a first year! PEN released over 70 publications, hosted 20 virtual events and trainings, and has grown to over 1,000 members! As one member recently commented, PEN “has become my go-to resource for elevating procurement to a strategic priority.” We look forward to continuing to support you in building connections, sharing your ideas, and learning new approaches.
You all truly inspire us – every day you show up to make sure your communities have what they need to thrive, and we are so grateful for your contributions as public servants and also as PEN members! The ideas you’ve shared in our virtual events, office hours, newsletters, and community conversations have helped build a national conversation on procurement innovation. There is so much more to come!
In partnership,
Kailey Burger Ayogu
Managing Director
Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab
Snapshot of Our First Year
Members
from the U.S., Canada, and Latin America
70+ publications with
total views
20+ virtual events with
office hours
members
initiating operational changes
Member Map
Impact Stories
Key Procurement Themes in 2023
Procurement processes are still a huge driver of inefficiency
PEN members tell us that inefficient procurement processes continue to be the top challenge they’re facing. Unfortunately, even new technology and more staff are only addressing part of this challenge, and still more work is needed to create processes that are truly clear, inviting, and efficient.
Workforce challenges make it hard to implement projects and harder to innovate
Across the country we’re seeing that an uptick in staff departures and increased workloads are creating major challenges in procurement; prompting governments to consider creative staffing models, hiring for new skillsets, and empowering user departments to take on more.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly disrupt public procurement
The current use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public procurement is limited, but growing rapidly and creating a lot of buzz and commentary. As the use of AI grows, some governments are planning ahead by putting governance structures in place now to manage its use.
Governments are responding to the shifting landscape around equity in public contracting
State and local governments have implemented strategies to continue advancing equitable procurement amidst uncertainty raised by the potential impact of recent and anticipated court decisions, and a fast-evolving legal landscape.
Reformers are activating procurement champions by strategically engaging elected or appointed political leaders
Members note that they are often subject to scrutiny or the approval of elected officials/bodies, which can present delays and hurdles if those entities are not well versed in procurement. Yet, by engaging these leaders it can be an opportunity to elevate the status of procurement.
Procurement should be used as a tool for addressing pressing challenges, such as climate and infrastructure
As historic federal investments flow into states and cities, governments are getting ready for cross collaboration between program departments, procurement, and private sector efforts. Procurement officers will need to have shared language and goals on impact in their communities.