Expediting is a supply chain management and quality control process focused on monitoring, tracking, and ensuring timely delivery of materials, equipment, and components required for a project. The goal is to prevent delays, identify bottlenecks, and ensure suppliers meet contractual delivery schedules while maintaining quality and compliance with specifications.

Expediting is widely used in oil & gas, construction, manufacturing, power generation, and large-scale industrial projects, where delays can lead to significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and project overruns.

• Types of Expediting

1. Desk Expediting

• Conducted remotely via emails, phone calls, and progress reports
• Ensures suppliers provide updated production schedules, milestones, and delivery status
• Ideal for routine follow-ups without physical site visits

2. Field Expediting (On-Site Expediting)

• Involves physical visits to the supplier’s facility to inspect progress
• Identifies production delays, quality issues, and resource shortages
• Ensures compliance with manufacturing processes, contractual requirements, and technical specifications

3. Critical Expediting

• Used for urgent or high-risk components that are essential for project completion
• Requires frequent follow-ups, supplier intervention, and alternative solutions
• Ensures priority shipments are expedited through logistics and transportation management

• Key Activities in Expediting

1. Order and Production Monitoring

• Tracks supplier’s production progress against the agreed timeline
• Ensures materials and components are available on schedule

2. Supplier Performance Evaluation

• Assesses supplier’s ability to meet quality, quantity, and delivery commitments
• Identifies potential risks and corrective actions

3. Quality Control and Inspection

• Coordinates with Quality Assurance (QA) and Inspection teams
• Ensures manufacturing, testing, and documentation comply with industry standards

4. Logistics and Shipment Coordination

• Ensures proper packaging, transportation, and customs clearance
• Identifies alternative shipping methods for urgent deliveries

5. Risk Management and Problem-Solving

• Identifies delays, bottlenecks, and production constraints
• Implements corrective actions and supplier interventions

• Why is Expediting Important?

✔ Prevents project delays by ensuring materials and equipment arrive on time
✔ Reduces costs associated with downtime, penalties, and supply chain disruptions
✔ Ensures quality compliance by tracking production and inspection requirements
✔ Improves supplier accountability and performance
✔ Enhances communication between suppliers, contractors, and project teams

• When is Expediting Conducted?

📌 Before order placement – To assess supplier capacity and reliability
📌 During production – To track progress and mitigate delays
📌 Before shipment – To confirm packaging, documentation, and logistics readiness

• Conclusion

Expediting is a proactive process that ensures suppliers meet production schedules, maintain quality standards, and deliver materials on time. It plays a crucial role in large-scale projects by reducing risks, improving supply chain efficiency, and ensuring smooth project execution.