The 7 mistakes that could derail your public sector procurement project

What this guide covers

• Why the planning stage matters more than ever. The Procurement Act 2023 has shifted public procurement from a compliance exercise to a strategic function. We explain why the pre-procurement phase is now the most critical part of any project, and why getting it wrong can mean budget overruns, legal challenges, and missed public value.
• Skipping clear objectives and strategic alignment. Too many projects start with a specification instead of a strategy. We cover how to define SMART objectives that align with the National Procurement Policy Statement, and how to make sure every stakeholder is on the same page before you go to market.
• Ignoring frameworks, DPS and Dynamic Markets. A full bespoke tender is not always the answer. We explain when frameworks, Dynamic Purchasing Systems and Dynamic Markets are the faster, more compliant, and more cost-effective route, and why the PA23 makes them even more attractive.
• Underestimating compliance in the new regulatory era. From the shift to Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) to the new transparency notices, the PA23 introduces requirements that catch teams out. We walk through what has changed and how to build compliance into your process, not bolt it on at the end.
• Neglecting social value as a mandatory requirement. Social value is no longer optional. With PPN 002 and PPN 003 now mandatory, we explain how to embed measurable social value outcomes into your specification with the right weighting and evaluation criteria from the outset.
• Overlooking local SMEs. The PA23 places a legal duty on contracting authorities to consider SMEs during pre-procurement planning. We cover practical steps to break down barriers, from lotting strategy to simplified documentation and targeted market engagement.
• Failing to engage stakeholders early and continuously. Procurement developed in isolation is procurement set up to fail. We explain how to map, engage, and maintain stakeholder buy-in throughout the lifecycle, not just at sign-off.
• Not leveraging technology for compliance and efficiency. Manual processes cannot keep pace with the demands of the PA23. We look at how e-procurement platforms, spend analysis, and automation can help your team work faster and more transparently. and why it should reflect supplier importance and risk, not just transaction size
  

The challenge most public sector procurement teams recognise

The Procurement Act 2023 has fundamentally changed how public sector procurement works. The shift from the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 to a regime built around value for money, transparency, and social value has raised expectations across the board. But for many teams, the day-to-day pressures have not changed: tight budgets, limited resource, and a growing list of regulatory requirements that all need attention at once.

What tends to happen is that the planning stage gets compressed. Teams move straight to market engagement before objectives are properly defined, compliance requirements are fully understood, or stakeholders have been brought into the process. The consequences are predictable: scope creep, legal challenge, missed social value, and contracts that do not deliver what the organisation actually needs.

This guide identifies the seven most common mistakes made at the pre-procurement stage and provides practical, actionable steps to avoid each one. It is grounded in the PA23 and the National Procurement Policy Statement, so every recommendation is aligned with the current regulatory landscape.

Why download it now

The PA23 is not coming. It is here. Teams that are still working from pre-2025 processes, or relying on familiar routes without checking whether they are still the right ones, are carrying risk they do not need to. This guide gives you a clear, practical checklist for your next project, covering everything from strategic alignment and compliance to social value, SME engagement, and technology. It will not tell you what you already know. It will show you what to do differently.

• Expert insights: Written by procurement specialists with deep public sector experience, this guide provides practical, regulation-informed advice to help you navigate the PA23 with confidence.
• Actionable strategies: Each of the seven mistakes comes with clear, step-by-step guidance you can apply to your next procurement project immediately.
• Comprehensive coverage: From strategic alignment and compliance to social value, SME engagement, stakeholder management, and technology, this guide covers every critical area of the pre-procurement stage.

Download your copy by filling in the form above, and start your next project on solid ground.