voorkeursoptie

Voorkeursoptie is a Dutch term meaning the preferred option. In contract, procurement, project planning and related decision processes, a voorkeursoptie designates one option from a set as the preferred or primary choice. The exact meaning and effects of a voorkeursoptie are not fixed by law; they depend on how it is defined in the relevant agreement.

Typically, a voorkeursoptie grants a party a priority or special right regarding that option. This can involve selecting, ordering, or being given priority for implementation, under predefined conditions. For example, in a procurement process a klant might include a voorkeursoptie for a specific product configuration, which can influence pricing, delivery, or deployment when multiple configurations are available. In project planning, a opdrachtgever may reserve a voorkeursoptie to switch to an alternative approach if the primary option proves infeasible, with a defined change process and cost implications. In sales or licensing contracts, a voorkeursoptie may specify a preferred package or features to be adopted if the option is exercised later.

Because the term is contract-dependent, clear definitions are essential. The agreement should spell out the scope of the voorkeursoptie, the conditions for exercising it, any pricing or timing implications, and how it interacts with other options or alternatives to avoid ambiguity or disputes.