Scout's Dynamic Negotiation Analysis (DNA) module opens up a path into deeper, multi-faceted negotiations between sourcing teams and supplier engagement. As Sourcing Teams approach the tail end of an RFP, DNA can be used to quickly analyze a side-by-side comparison of supplier bids, as well as in-depth savings calculations around the best possible business outcomes within your supply base. In addition, Sourcing Teams can provide real-time feedback directly to their Suppliers on how to improve bids on actionable data and current market trends around their competitors.

Below we have outlined a flowchart on the analysis process where it starts from receiving bids from your suppliers to using DNA's many features to analyze suppliers bids. There are several actionable steps you can utilize in DNA which are highlighted in the green boxes below. Within the DNA section of our Knowledge Base, you will be able to dive in deeper of these actions. 

In this article, we will cover:

• How to Access DNA
• Running a Successful Analysis: Column Mapping & Reference Columns
• Scenarios:Suppliers:Columns

How to Access DNA

You can access Scout DNA in the Event Analysis tab on your Event's Dashboard page. Click on Event Analysis here:

Running a Successful Analysis: Column Mapping & Reference Columns

Before generating a successful analysis, it is important to map out worksheet columns and include internal reference data within the Analytics Toolbox in DNA. Within the Analytics Toolbox, you can map key data attributes to ensure each piece of information ends up in the right place. 

Column Mapping will be the be a prerequisite before running your Bid Analysis in DNA. Designating event worksheet columns and including reference data within column mapping will allow you to run your analysis successfully. The columns available are pulled from your event's worksheet columns. You can map your columns by clicking the "Analytics ToolBox" button In DNA.

Mapping your columns defines what the column data itself means and how the field is treated:

For more information on how to set up Column Mapping, click here!

Reference Columns refers to internal data you wish to include as part of your bid analysis. Including reference data will be important to  allow you to run awarding scenarios and provide feedback to your suppliers. To add in your reference data, open the “Analytics Toolbox” and select “Edit Columns”.

Next, click “Add Column” to begin entering the header name and data type for your reference columns. Make sure “Analysis Type” is set to “Reference”. Then click "Save".

Once saved, your new reference columns will appear in the References section and you will be able to input your data.

Click “Save and Exit” to exit DNA edit mode and return to your analysis.  

Note: Reference Columns is internal data only visible to your Team, and will not be visible to your Suppliers.

For more information on how to set up Reference Columns, click here! 

Scenarios:Suppliers:Columns

The Scenarios:Suppliers:Columns button is used to bring in or hide sections of the data table. The Scenarios section allows you to toggle on and off the available scenarios for your bid results. The Suppliers section allows you to select which Supplier’s’ bid data (and Supplier Bid version if they have submitted multiple bids) is shown. The Columns section is where you will select the columns that you would like to appear in the data table. These include:

• Event Columns - these are columns that were created by the Sourcing Team and provided to the suppliers via the Event Worksheets.
• Response Columns - these are columns that are supplier filled and related to supplier filled information. Formulas created in the bid sheets prior to publishing are also included in the Response Columns category. 
• References - these are the columns that were created in DNA and that can be used as the comparison for Outlier and Feedback Range functionalities. Formula based reference columns use information from Event Columns and Reference Columns. These columns can also be used to evaluate suppliers’ responses. 
• Bid Analysis - these are columns that are created in DNA and specific to each supplier. 
• Bid Competitiveness - these are default analysis columns generated in Scout to help the Sourcing Team analyze their bid results.
• Outliers - This section appears if Outliers have been configured in the Analytics Toolbox. 
• Feedback Ranges - This section appears if Feedback Ranges have been configured in the Analytics Toolbox. 

For more in-depth information on DNA, please feel free to view our DNA Knowledge Base.