Purchase requisitions (or PRs for short) are an essential part of any supply chain. In this article, we break down what a PR is, how it works, and answer other frequently asked questions. 

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What is a purchase requisition (PR)? 

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A purchase requisition or purchase request (PR) is a form of approval required before making a purchase. It’s an internal document created by purchasers and sent to the department or individual that controls your organization’s finances. Purchase requisitions are often used to enforce spend controls – such as budget holder approvals or spend limits. Approvals can even differ based on the amount being spent or type of item being purchased.

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How Does a Purchase Requisition Work?

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Purchase requisitions are often required for purchases about a certain dollar amount. For example, let’s say you’re looking to purchase a forklift that costs over $30,000. If your organization requires a purchase requisition before placing your order, the flow of events could look like this: 

1. Create a purchase requisition. You create a purchase requisition specifying exactly what you want to purchase, including information like quantity, price, vendor name, and your location or department. 
2. Purchase requisition submitted for approval. Your purchase requisition is then sent to the department or individual that controls your organization’s finances for approval
3. Approval received and order placed. If approved, you can go ahead and place your order. Otherwise, the purchase can’t be made.

What should a purchase requisition include?

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Purchase requisition details vary depending on your organization and the type of item being purchased, but it typically includes: 

1. Issue date
2. Product SKUs, quantities, and unit prices
3. Vendor name(s)
4. Purchase location or department
5. Delivery date

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What is the difference between a purchase requisition and a purchase order?

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Purchase requisitions and purchase orders are often confused, but they aren’t the same. 

Purchase requisitions are internal documents created before receiving approval and placing an order. 

Purchase orders are legally binding documents created by a buyer and issued to a seller after receiving approval to  place an order.