Step by Step
Our Full Advisory Process
Every engagement follows the same structured approach adapted to the size, data availability, and procurement maturity of the client organization.
01
Initial Tail Spend Diagnostic
We begin with the available purchasing and invoice data. This usually includes supplier spend, invoice history, purchase order data, contract information, category coding, and buyer activity. The first objective is to understand the current state of your tail spend.
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Supplier spend data review
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Invoice history analysis
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Purchase order data
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Contract information review
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Category coding assessment
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Buyer activity mapping
Outcome
A clear baseline picture of the current state of your tail spend, purchasing activity, and supplier base.
02
Spend Segmentation
We break the spend into practical categories to identify where the largest opportunities sit and where purchasing behavior is most fragmented or uncontrolled.
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Spend by supplier
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Spend by category
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Spend by department or location
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Spend by buyer
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Contracted vs. non-contracted spend
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High-volume invoice areas
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Low-value/high-frequency suppliers
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Expired or missing contract areas
Outcome
A segmented view of your tail spend that shows exactly where money is going and where control is weakest.
03
Opportunity Identification
We identify where savings may exist across the full spend profile. This includes supplier consolidation, better contract compliance, pricing correction, duplicate supplier reduction, process improvements, and governance controls.
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Supplier consolidation opportunities
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Contract compliance gaps
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Pricing correction areas
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Duplicate supplier reduction
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Process improvement areas
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Governance control gaps
Outcome
A prioritized list of savings opportunities with an estimated value range for each area identified.
04
Solution Design
Axiom recommends the right solution based on the client's size, spend profile, internal procurement capacity, and willingness to change. We are not tied to one solution — our role is to find the right fit for your organization.
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Internal governance improvements
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Buyer education and approval controls
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Supplier consolidation plan
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Managed procurement support
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Tail spend platform review
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Neutral vendor marketplace options
Outcome
A recommended solution model tailored to your organization's size, data maturity, and procurement capacity.
05
Implementation Roadmap
We provide a clear roadmap showing what should happen first, what savings can be targeted, what suppliers should be reviewed, and what governance rules need to be put in place — giving leadership a practical plan they can act on immediately.
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Prioritized action plan
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Savings targets by phase
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Supplier review schedule
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Governance rules to implement
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Quick wins vs. long-term actions
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Timeline and milestones
Outcome
A practical, phased implementation plan your leadership team can act on — with clear savings targets at each stage.
Step by Step
Your Deliverables at the End of Every Engagement
Every Axiom engagement produces a clear, practical set of deliverables that leadership can act on, not just a high-level summary report.
Tail Spend Diagnostic Report
A comprehensive assessment of your tail spend activity, highlighting spending patterns, supplier concentration, purchasing trends, and key areas for improvement.
Supplier Fragmentation Analysis
An in-depth review of your supplier base to identify duplication, consolidation opportunities, and inefficiencies that may be increasing procurement costs.
Contract Compliance Findings
A detailed evaluation of purchasing activity against existing contracts, uncovering non-compliant spend, contract leakage, and missed savings opportunities.
Savings Opportunity Model
A data-driven analysis that quantifies potential cost reductions, process improvements, and procurement optimization opportunities across your organization.
Implementation Roadmap
A prioritized action plan outlining recommended initiatives, timelines, responsibilities, and key milestones to achieve identified savings and operational improvements.
Governance Recommendations
Strategic recommendations for strengthening procurement controls, supplier management, approval workflows, and ongoing spend governance to sustain long-term results.
Beyond the Review
Ongoing Support Available After Your Initial Review
For organizations that need more than an initial advisory engagement, Axiom can remain involved to support implementation, track savings, manage supplier consolidation, and ensure governance improvements are embedded into day-to-day purchasing.
Procurement governance oversight
Periodic tail spend reviews
Supplier consolidation management
Implementation support and advisory
Savings tracking and reporting
Solution Options We Can Recommend
Axiom is not tied to one approach. We evaluate the right fit for each client.
Internal governance improvements
Managed procurement support
Procurement marketplace solutions
Neutral vendor managed service
Tail spend platform evaluation