What role does 'pre-screening' play in the sourcing process?

Pre-screening is a crucial stage in the sourcing process as it involves narrowing down the list of potential suppliers based on predetermined criteria. This process helps procurement professionals to assess which suppliers are capable of meeting the specific requirements of the organization in terms of quality, capacity, compliance with regulations, and alignment with ethical sourcing practices.

By conducting pre-screening, organizations can filter out suppliers that do not meet their preliminary needs or standards, allowing them to focus on those that have the potential to fulfill the sourcing requirements effectively. This step is essential for minimizing risks and ensuring that only qualified suppliers are considered for further evaluation and selection, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the overall supplier selection process.