Dec 19

How a PESTLE Analysis can be Useful for Procurement Management

Step1: Identify the Components of PESTLE

1. Political Factors:

  • Identify political factors that may impact procurement.
  • Example: Changes in government policies, trade agreements, or political stability.

2. Economic Factors:

  • Consider economic factors influencing procurement decisions.
  • Example: Inflation rates, currency exchange rates, economic growth or recession.

3. Social Factors:

  • Examine societal influences on procurement.
  • Example: Demographics, cultural preferences, social trends affecting demand.

4. Technological Factors:

  • Assess technological factors relevant to procurement.
  • Example: Advancements in technology, automation, digital transformation.

5. Legal Factors:

  • Identify legal considerations in procurement.
  • Example: Regulations, compliance requirements, changes in labor laws.

6. Environmental Factors:

  • Evaluate environmental factors affecting procurement.
  • Example: Sustainability initiatives, environmental regulations, eco-friendly products.

Step 2: Analyze Political Factors

Example: Changes in Government Policies

  • Identify potential changes in government policies that may affect procurement strategies.
  • Consider whether new regulations impact import/export duties, trade restrictions, or government procurement processes.
  • For instance, changes in tariffs or preferential trade agreements can influence supplier selection and cost considerations.

Step 3: Analyze Economic Factors

Example: Currency Exchange Rates

  • Assess the impact of currency exchange rates on procurement costs.
  • Fluctuations in exchange rates can affect the cost of imported goods and impact budgeting.
  • Procurement strategies may need adjustment to hedge against currency risks or take advantage of favorable rates.

Step 4: Analyze Social Factors

Example: Cultural Preferences and Trends

  • Consider how cultural preferences and social trends may affect product demand.
  • Understand customer preferences and market trends to align procurement with consumer needs.
  • For instance, if there's a growing demand for eco-friendly products, procurement strategies may need to focus on sustainable sourcing.

Step 5: Analyze Technological Factors

Example: Advancements in Procurement Technology

  • Evaluate technological advancements impacting procurement processes.
  • Consider adopting e-procurement systems, artificial intelligence, or blockchain for efficiency.
  • Technological advancements can streamline procurement, improve transparency, and enhance collaboration with suppliers.

Step 6: Analyze Legal Factors

Example: Changes in Environmental Regulations

  • Examine changes in environmental regulations affecting the procurement of certain materials.
  • Ensure compliance with new environmental standards and assess the impact on sourcing practices.
  • Legal considerations may influence supplier selection and product specifications.

Step 7: Analyze Environmental Factors

Example: Sustainability Initiatives

  • Evaluate the impact of sustainability initiatives on procurement practices.
  • Consider sourcing options that align with environmental goals and regulations.
  • Sustainable procurement may involve selecting suppliers with eco-friendly practices or using materials with a lower environmental footprint.

Step 8: Summarize Findings and Formulate Strategies


  • Summarize the findings from each PESTLE factor.
  • Identify key opportunities to leverage and threats to mitigate in procurement.
  • Formulate procurement strategies that align with the external environment, considering political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors.

Prioritize the Factors

After analyzing each factor, the next step is to prioritize them. This involves ranking the factors in order of importance based on their potential impact on the procurement process. This will help to determine which factors need to be addressed urgently and which ones can be addressed later.

Develop a Plan of Action

The final step in using the PESTLE analysis for procurement management is to develop a plan of action. This involves developing strategies to manage the risks associated with each factor. For example, if the geopolitical situation in a particular country is unstable, the organization may need to diversify its supplier base to reduce the reliance on that country. Alternatively, if there are technological advancements that could improve the procurement process, the organization may need to invest in new technology or upskill its procurement staff.