You won a tender! Well done! Now seek feedback.

You won a tender – congratulations!

After the celebration, then seek feedback.

When working in procurement roles, it surprised us how often successful tenderers didn’t seek feedback about their submission.

Instead, they focused on contract terms and scope, while requesting further detail to assist their mobilisation.

While this is understandable, valuable insight can be missed.

Winning a tender provides a unique opportunity for learning and continuous improvement.

It demonstrates to the client you are striving to be better, despite winning this tender.

Most clients will be more forthcoming after appointment, as you are about to be engaged or re-engaged on contract. The probity strictures reduce when a contract is pending or awarded.

Conversely, there is a tendency for the purchaser to be more guarded when the applicant has been unsuccessful.

Tenders can be very close.

Without feedback the successful tenderer doesn’t know how close they came to running 2nd, 3rd or lower.

Quality feedback directly assists your next tender, perhaps with the same client.

Client tender review teams quickly disband, and their insight won’t be available when the next contract opportunity arises.

Again, well done! Winning a tender is a great position to be in, you just need to finish off the process.