Expediting

Expediting is the process of ensuring the timely acquisition and delivery of goods and services within a project or supply chain by monitoring progress, coordinating with suppliers, and taking corrective actions to prevent delays. An expeditor tracks purchase orders, production milestones, shipments, and customs clearances, and uses escalation when schedules slip. The goal is to minimize schedule risk and avoid costly downtime or bottlenecks on the critical path.

Common in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospace, and energy sectors, expediting can be performed as a dedicated role or as part of procurement, logistics, or project management. Expediters work with suppliers, manufacturers, freight forwarders, and internal teams to verify lead times, confirm order quantities, and synchronize delivery with site readiness or assembly sequences. They may intervene to expedite production, re-prioritize orders, arrange alternative transport, or adjust schedules and scope within contract terms.

Typical activities include validating purchase orders, tracking supplier performance, reviewing production schedules, coordinating shipments, preparing status reports, and managing documentation for customs and receiving. Risk management is a core component, including identification of critical-path items, supplier capacity constraints, and potential disruptions. Effective expediting relies on clear communication, well-defined escalation paths, maintained vendor relationships, and access to real-time procurement data and logistics information.

Challenges include long or volatile lead times, quality issues, late or incomplete shipments, and regulatory or border delays. Expediters mitigate these by maintaining alternative suppliers, negotiating priority with manufacturers, and aligning procurement with project milestones. Metrics commonly used include on-time delivery rate, schedule variance for critical items, lead-time reduction, and supplier performance scores.