Event Template Components
An event template consists of rules, a place for the project owner to specify suppliers, content such as questions, and a summary.
While configuring a template, you configure each of these steps so that projects inherit the following:
- Rules is where the event rules control how the event works.
- The Suppliers page is just a placeholder; the project owner adds them when creating an event from a template.
- The Content area has two tabs:
- The Definitions tab is used to set up lots, line items, and terms.
- The Content tab allows content elements to be created that will appear in every project that uses this template.
- The event template Summary section is used to review the template settings, edit the overview and event messages, or view template tasks.
Creating Guided Sourcing Template Workflow
There are situations when a new event template is required because a specific event rule needs to be enabled that alters the bidding format and makes other event rules obsolete. For example, the alternative bidding, bid transformation, envelope, and capacity rules all require their own templates to enable these specific event rules and their supplementary settings.
As mentioned, it is recommended to copy an existing event template so that the item definitions, surrogate bidders and other standard settings in default event templates function properly.
Alternatively, members of the Template Creator system group can create a guided sourcing template with the following procedure:
- On the dashboard, select Manage→Templates
- Open the folder where you want to create the template.
- Choose Actions→Create→Template.
Note
New event templates should be created by copying a standard event template, rather than being made from scratch. - On the Select Project Type for Template page, choose Sourcing Project for the project type.
- On the Create New Project Template page, enter a name for the template.
- In the Project field, choose Quick Project.
- In the Event Type field, choose RFI, RFP, Auction, or Forward Auction.
- In the Guided Sourcing Template field, select Yes.
- Select OK.
This creates a template with an event under the Documents tab of the template page.
- Edit the rules and contents for the event in your template.
- Go to the Documents tab, select the event and choose Action→Edit.
- Use the links in the left margin to navigate through the pages of the event information, including Rules and Content.
- After you finish your edits, go to the Summary page and Exit.
- On the Confirm Edit Event Exit page, choose return to project.
- Optionally add an Approval for Publish task that prevents the event from being published until the contents are approved.
- Optionally add a Review for Team Grading task, which allows multiple team members to grade supplier responses for a guided sourcing event.
- Optionally edit the project team members and group assignments.
- Publish the template in the Properties area, choose Actions→Publish.
Summary
- The event templates consist of the following areas:
- Rules is where the event rules control how the event works.
- Suppliers page is just a placeholder; no action required.
- Content has two tabs where Definitions is used to set up lots/line items, and the Content tab embeds content elements that will appear in every project using that template.
- Summary can edit the project overview and event messages, or view the template tasks.
- A new guided sourcing event template must have a type of RFI, RFP, or auction, and have the Guided Sourcing Template setting enabled.
