Sourcing in the construction industry
Sourcing is an activity that involves looking for suppliers of goods and services required to achieve a particular end. Taken literally, the term means finding the source of something. So, in construction, the source of the reinforced concrete floor planks that are required will be either the manufacturer or the supplier of those planks. When a party is awarded the contract, they then become a part of the overall supply chain for the project.
Sourcing of materials, labour and services may be undertaken by any of the stakeholders during the project:
- An architect may wish to source suppliers of glazed bricks.
- An engineer may require to source manufacturers of steel angles.
- A contractor may want to source agencies that supply labourers.
In all cases on a project, sourcing will usually aim to complete one part of the project, so a building project will comprise multiple acts of sourcing.
The process of identifying a specific supplier that will be contracted, and then agreeing terms with them, is generally referred to as procurement.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Action programme for responsible and ethical sourcing.
- Australian ethical labour sourcing standard.
- Code of conduct.
- Complex outsourcing.
- Consultancy playbook.
- Corporate social responsibility in construction.
- Critical service contracts.
- Critical suppliers.
- Ethical labour sourcing standard.
- Expected market cost.
- International Ethics Standards Coalition.
- Management Consultancy Framework MCF.
- Mixed economy.
- Model Services Contract MSC.
- Modern Slavery Act and sustainable supply chains.
- Modern slavery and the supply chain.
- Public sector dependent suppliers.
- Recyclable construction materials.
- Sourcing playbook.
- Spark framework RM6094.
Featured articles and news
Licensing construction; looking back to look forward
Voluntary to required contractors (licensing) schemes.
A contractor discusses the Building Safety Act
A brief to the point look at changes that have occurred.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year award
Shortlist set to go head-to-head for prestigious industry title.
HSE simplified advice for installers of stone worktops
After company fined for repeatedly failing to protect workers.
Co-located with 10th year of UK Construction Week.
How orchards can influence planning and development.
Time for knapping, no time for napping
Decorative split stone square patterns in facades.
A practical guide to the use of flint in design and architecture.
Designing for neurodiversity: driving change for the better
Accessible inclusive design translated into reality.
RIBA detailed response to Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report
Briefing notes following its initial 4 September response.
Approved Document B: Fire Safety from March
Current and future changes with historical documentation.
A New Year, a new look for BSRIA
As phase 1 of the BSRIA Living Laboratory is completed.
A must-attend event for the architecture industry.
Caroline Gumble to step down as CIOB CEO in 2025
After transformative tenure take on a leadership role within the engineering sector.
RIDDOR and the provisional statistics for 2023 / 2024
Work related deaths; over 50 percent from construction and 50 percent recorded as fall from height.