Effectiveness of Agile practices in indirect procurement within IT projects

Agile principles have transformed project management by emphasizing flexibility, stakeholder collaboration, and iterative progress. However, their application within procurement—particularly in indirect procurement—remains underexplored. This thesis investigates how Agile practices can optimize indirect procurement by improving collaboration, streamlining workflows, and aligning procurement activities with evolving organizational needs. Grounded in Bernardo Nicoletti’s Agile procurement framework, the study examines how Agile principles, combined with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, enhance procurement effectiveness. Using a case study of a global pharmaceutical company, this research identifies success factors, operational challenges, and outcomes associated with applying Agile to indirect procurement. The findings reveal the potential of Agile practices to improve stakeholder engagement, compliance, and process efficiency, providing insights for modernizing procurement. Focusing on indirect procurement, this study contributes to the academic and practical understanding of Agile as a strategic enabler in today’s dynamic procurement landscape.