Parallel Procurement: Compressing Schedules Through Strategic Early Engagement

In large-scale data centre delivery, time is not just a constraint – it’s a competitive advantage. With pressure mounting to bring capacity online faster than ever, clients can no longer afford the inefficiencies of traditional linear procurement. That’s why Parallel Procurement is a foundational pillar of high-performing PMC (Project Management Consultancy) delivery.

By engaging the supply chain early and awarding critical packages ahead of final design, Parallel Procurement accelerates project momentum without compromising quality or control.

The Problem with Sequential Procurement

Conventional procurement follows a waterfall model – design is completed, tenders are issued, contracts are awarded, and only then does site activity commence. While straightforward on paper, this approach causes:

• Idle time between design sign-off and construction start.
• Delayed mobilisation of enabling works and site preparation.
• Compressed construction windows, increasing delivery risk.
• Missed opportunities to lock in pricing and resources early.

This rigidity is particularly costly in hyperscale and multi-site programs, where delays at one site ripple through the entire portfolio.

What Parallel Procurement Means in a PMC Model

Parallel Procurement breaks down the artificial barriers between design, procurement, and construction. Instead of waiting for the entire design package to be complete, the PMC identifies early works that can be tendered, procured, and mobilised in parallel with ongoing design development.

This is made possible by:

• Robust early-stage planning and governance.
• Clear interface management between packages.
• Strategic risk mapping to isolate and manage design dependencies.
• Close coordination between design, cost, and procurement leads within the PMC.

What Gets Procured Early?

In a typical data centre build, early award opportunities often include:

• Groundworks and civils packages.
• Temporary power and enabling works.
• Site access, security, and logistics infrastructure.
• Structural steel or precast elements.
• Long-lead equipment procurement (e.g., generators, chillers).

These packages represent high-impact, low-risk opportunities to start site activity while the detailed fit-out design is still being refined – shaving weeks, sometimes months, off the schedule.

Real-World Benefits of Parallel Procurement

When properly executed, Parallel Procurement delivers tangible benefits:

How PMC Enables Parallel Procurement

A mature PMC delivery model is uniquely positioned to lead this approach. By overseeing design, procurement, and schedule in parallel, the PMC creates a single point of coordination – ensuring packages are sequenced, interfaces are managed, and risks are controlled.

Key enablers include:

• Early contractor engagement, supported by clear procurement governance.
• Integrated project controls, aligning cost, schedule, and design development.
• Live dashboards tracking procurement progress, lead times, and on-site readiness.
• Design freeze strategies, balancing early award with flexibility to adapt.

Scaling Parallel Procurement Across Portfolios

In multi-site programs, standardising early works packages and pre-approved scopes allows Parallel Procurement to scale across regions. This creates:

• Faster mobilisation on future builds through templated early packages.
• Repeatable procurement strategies, reducing negotiation cycles.
• Program-wide supply chain engagement, improving vendor responsiveness and pricing.
• Consistent early-stage governance, embedded into the PMC playbook.

The Strategic Advantage

Parallel Procurement isn’t just a scheduling tool – it’s a strategic advantage. It enables clients to:

• Launch site activity without waiting for full design completion.
• Stay ahead of demand by reducing schedule drag.
• Protect themselves from market volatility through early cost commitment.
• Maintain delivery velocity across expanding portfolios.

In a delivery environment where speed-to-market, cost control, and scalability define success, Parallel Procurement delivers on all three. It represents the shift from reactive scheduling to proactive, strategic execution – where time becomes a lever for competitive gain.

When embedded as part of a full PMC delivery model, Parallel Procurement ensures clients aren’t just building fast – they’re building smart.