Who

MIT Procurement and the VP of Finance

Why

Making approved purchases within recommended guidelines can be a complex and frustrating process for members of the MIT community. Realizing that, the Office of Procurement asked us to develop concepts for a tool that could be used in training classes and as a web-based resource to help purchasers make smart buying decisions.

Wow

After facilitating a working session with Procurement staff, we designed a concept for an application that anticipates a variety of situations – knowing what you want to buy, how you want to buy or from whom you want to buy – and guides members of the MIT community through the purchasing process. Prototype testers and the VP for Finance were excited by the prototype, and we hope to see the application live in 2010.