Checkpoint 1
Fit and boundary
Confirm the workflow, plan capacity, decision owners, accepted fields, excluded data, retention, and written acceptance checks.
Written scopeImplementation
Four checkpoints from fit to a dependable operating rhythm.
Published plans start without a software migration. We still treat definitions, ownership, safe input, module mapping, and acceptance as real implementation work.
Checkpoint 2
Field mapping
Map a pseudonymized supplier-metric CSV to the published data profile. Resolve definitions before processing a live cycle.
Approved field mapCheckpoint 3
Dry run
Use a limited, buyer-reviewed sample to test rejects, rule explanations, output structure, and handoff responsibilities.
Accepted dry runCheckpoint 4
Operating cadence
Deliver the supplier performance review pack on the plan cadence, review exceptions, record corrections, and improve the mapping without changing scope silently.
Scheduled deliveryResponsibility matrix
No vague handoffs.
These roles may be held by the same person in a smaller team, but the decisions stay explicit.
Category owner
Chooses metrics, target bands, and the discussion agenda.
Data owner
Normalizes supplier observations into the agreed schema.
Relationship owner
Reviews context and decides every supplier action.
Acceptance criteria
Done means reviewable, not merely delivered.
- Every result traces to one retained metric definition.
- Disputed and missing observations remain separate from performance.
- No composite supplier ranking is created by default.
- The buyer owns all commercial, risk, and relationship decisions.
A useful first conversation
Bring the current export and the person who owns the definitions.
Describe it in general terms. We will tell you which plan fits, what we would need, and where we would draw the line.