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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your output

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

A reason to pause

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