Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses buying goods and services, which is an integral part of most project processes, there will be many instances where project management methods. A distinction is made between Procurement and Purchasing. Purchasing is restricted to the act of buying the goods and services; whereas procurement is managing the whole process from buying to delivery of the goods. A contracts group responsible for formulating the subcontracts for services, for execution and administration by the installation or construction department, is also required. A procurement department or group on a project will be headed by a project procurement manager, supervisor or coordinator. The project procurement manager's role is to coordinate purchasing activities and the interfaces with the other functions within the group. The term Client will be used to identify the party initiating the purchasing and contracting arrangements.