Turn a supplier shortlist into comparable questions

Unsure how to compare suppliers beyond the quoted price? Use this reading guide to prepare the same evidence questions for each option.

Define what must be supplied
Write the use case and must-have requirements before comparing options. Keep acceptable substitutions explicit.
Set the specification
Ask for comparable evidence
Use the evidence and delivery prompts to identify documents, samples, dates and unanswered questions. The site does not verify suppliers.
Prepare evidence questions
Record what is still unverified
Use the approval and outcome prompts to name the decision owner and next review. Pause when a critical requirement has no evidence.
Review approval and gaps

Available now: a self-guided method and prompts for your own notes. Nothing is submitted or saved here. Services and integrations remain planned. Read the proposal’s scope.

Requirements before recommendations

Compare the evidence.
Then the options.

Start with a clear specification and the same questions for every supplier. Keep unanswered questions visible before making a commitment.

Prepare your question set Explore the approach

For a shortlist that needs more than a quote.

This is a method you can read and use independently. Begin with the question, follow the prompts, and keep uncertainty visible.

Use and specification

State the use case, quantity assumptions, dimensions or service level, must-haves and permissible substitutions.

Evidence request

For each requirement, ask what dated document, sample or test could support it and who would inspect that evidence.

Capacity and delivery

Ask about lead time, capacity, dependencies, packaging, handoff and what happens when supply slips.

Commercial and legal questions

List quotation validity, total landed cost, duties, warranty, defects and dispute questions for current qualified review.

Approval and record

Record which person may shortlist, contact and commit, and why a candidate remains unverified.

Leave with a record.
Not a promise.

A useful next step can be a decision to wait. The purpose is to make the reasoning available for inspection.

Your output

A supplier question set

A supplier comparison record with requirements, evidence gaps, delivery questions and approval ownership.

A reason to pause

Keep the boundary explicit

Pause when a critical requirement has no evidence or nobody is authorized to approve a substitution.