Requirements form the basis for the entire supply chain process. They provide the necessary detail to understand what is required and to develop a solution to meet the need. If there is a buy decision, the requirements contribute to the specification, statement of objectives (SOO), or statement of work (SOW), as well as to the evaluation of suppliers.
The complexity of a need will determine the extent to which requirements must be defined. For example, buying a single stapler does not require a formal requirement definition, but the purchase of new automation equipment for a facility will require detailed requirement definition.
