A Complete Guide to Purchase Order Tracking for Businesses

The Lifecycle of a Purchase Order

A purchase order’s journey follows a standard sequence of steps. Understanding each step helps businesses pinpoint where delays, inefficiencies, or errors may occur.

1. Purchase Requisition

The process begins when an internal team member identifies the need for a product or service. A formal purchase requisition is created detailing the quantity, preferred vendor (if any), delivery timeline, and estimated budget. This document is then forwarded for internal approvals.

2. Approval of Requisition

Depending on internal protocols, the requisition passes through one or more approval layers. These could include department heads, financial controllers, or procurement managers. This step validates the business necessity and ensures budget compliance.

3. Issuance of Purchase Order

Once approved, a formal PO is generated. This includes a unique purchase order number, details of the items or services ordered, agreed prices, payment terms, delivery instructions, and contact information. The document is then sent to the chosen supplier.

4. Supplier Acknowledgment

The supplier reviews the PO. They may accept, reject, or request changes. Upon acceptance, the PO becomes a binding agreement. This stage is crucial to avoid future disputes, especially concerning delivery schedules and costs.

5. Order Fulfillment and Delivery

The supplier ships the goods or delivers the services based on the PO’s specifications. Businesses should be prepared to receive, inspect, and confirm deliveries, checking against the packing slips and the original PO.

6. Invoice and Payment Processing

After successful delivery, the supplier sends an invoice. Before releasing the payment, a three-way match is conducted between the PO, the delivery receipt, and the invoice. Any discrepancies can delay payment and affect supplier relationships.

7. Archival and Reporting

Once payments are settled, the PO and associated documents should be stored for record-keeping, audits, and future procurement decisions. Effective tracking software can automate this process and generate analytical reports for better decision-making.

Why Manual Tracking Methods No Longer Work

In the past, many businesses managed purchase orders using spreadsheets or handwritten ledgers. While these methods might suffice for a handful of transactions, they falter as purchase volume increases. Manual processes come with inherent disadvantages:

• Data inconsistency from human error
  
• Misplacement of documents during internal routing
  
• Lack of real-time visibility across departments
  
• Delayed approvals and processing
  

As businesses grow, these inefficiencies compound, leading to procurement bottlenecks and operational losses.

Benefits of Purchase Order Tracking for Small Businesses

For small businesses, especially, purchase order tracking introduces structure and clarity in procurement. It ensures no order is lost, no delivery is forgotten, and no payment is duplicated. Here are some notable advantages:

Enhanced Accuracy in Procurement

Automated tracking minimizes human error. Details such as item specifications, pricing, and quantities are recorded accurately and retrieved instantly.

Improved Cash Flow Management

With visibility into outstanding orders and pending payments, finance teams can better forecast and manage company cash flow.

Vendor Accountability

Purchase orders protect both buyer and seller. If disputes arise, a well-maintained PO record can help resolve them swiftly and fairly.

Inventory Planning

By tracking incoming orders, businesses can align procurement with sales forecasts and warehouse capacity, avoiding overstocking or stockouts.

Faster Audits and Compliance

Whether for internal audits or regulatory checks, having a traceable PO history simplifies documentation and improves transparency.

Challenges in Traditional PO Tracking Systems

Despite their importance, purchase orders often get deprioritized in smaller setups or fast-growing startups. The most common hurdles faced in traditional tracking methods include:

• Lost or unapproved requisitions
  
• Delayed communication with vendors
  
• Multiple document versions are confusing.
  
• Lack of integration with accounting or inventory systems
  
• Limited reporting and analytics
  

Without digitization, resolving these challenges becomes a constant firefighting exercise, distracting from strategic growth.

Evolution of PO Tracking in the Digital Age

With cloud-based solutions now widely available, businesses can adopt systems that digitize and streamline the entire purchase order process. These solutions integrate seamlessly with inventory, billing, and financial software to create a unified workflow.

Some key features of modern PO tracking platforms include:

• Centralized dashboards for real-time tracking
  
• Automated approvals with customizable workflows
  
• Instant PO generation from requisitions
  
• Three-way invoice matching automation
  
• Customizable reports for analysis and auditing
  

By using such tools, businesses can shift their procurement teams from repetitive clerical work to more strategic vendor management and cost optimization roles.

Considerations Before Implementing a PO Tracking System

Before jumping into software selection, businesses should consider the following:

1. Scale and Volume

How many POs are issued monthly? Businesses with high volumes may require more robust and scalable solutions than those with occasional procurement needs.

2. Integration Needs

Ensure that the new system can integrate with existing tools like inventory, accounting, and CRM platforms. Integration avoids data silos and speeds up processing.

3. Budget Constraints

While free or low-cost solutions exist, they may lack certain enterprise-level features. Evaluate long-term savings from reduced errors and faster processing against the upfront software costs.

4. User-Friendliness

The system should be easy to learn and operate. Complicated platforms can reduce adoption rates and cause more confusion.

5. Custom Workflow Capabilities

Every business has unique approval processes. The PO tracking solution must allow customization of workflows to mirror real-world business logic.

Evaluating Your Current Purchase Order Workflow

Before transitioning to a digital tracking system, a detailed evaluation of your existing PO workflow is essential. Businesses must identify current practices, documentation gaps, bottlenecks, and risks. Questions to ask include:

• Are all purchase orders being tracked consistently?
  
• How long does each stage of approval take?
  
• Are documents stored centrally and securely?
  
• What percentage of purchase orders face delays, duplications, or errors?
  
• Are teams communicating effectively across departments?
  

A workflow audit helps map out which processes are working and where intervention is needed.

Establishing Clear Roles and Responsibilities

Without accountability, even the best systems can fail. Start by assigning roles to team members involved in procurement. This avoids confusion and ensures every step of the PO lifecycle has an owner.

Key roles may include:

• Request Initiator: The team member who identifies the need and creates the requisition.
  
• Approver(s): Typically, department heads or finance managers who evaluate and authorize the request.
  
• Procurement Officer: Responsible for issuing purchase orders and vendor coordination.
  
• Receiver: In charge of confirming the delivery and reporting discrepancies.
  
• Accounts Payable: Processes invoices and verifies details before payment.
  

Clearly defined responsibilities reduce missed steps and encourage faster processing.

Defining Approval Workflows

A critical part of PO tracking implementation is building a defined approval workflow. Every organization should set approval limits, escalation routes, and exceptions.

For instance:

• Purchases below a certain value may require only one level of approval.
  
• Strategic or high-value orders may need sign-off from senior management.
  
• Emergency or recurring purchases can follow a pre-approved route.
  

Workflows should match the business structure and should be revisited as the company scales. A flexible approval system prevents bottlenecks while ensuring governance.

Selecting the Right Purchase Order Tracking Tools

There are a variety of tools available to streamline the tracking of purchase orders. Choosing the right one depends on factors such as business size, budget, integration requirements, and user expertise.

1. Spreadsheet-Based Systems (For Micro-Operations)

Small teams can begin with shared spreadsheets that track basic PO data like:

• Requisition date
  
• Vendor details
  
• Product/service description
  
• Order value
  
• Status (issued, approved, delivered, paid)
  

Though simple, spreadsheets are limited in automation, security, and scalability. They are vulnerable to errors and become inefficient as volume increases.

2. Procurement Software (For Growing Teams)

Procurement platforms offer centralized dashboards where teams can generate, approve, track, and archive POs. Features to look for:

• Customizable PO templates
  
• Automated approval workflows
  
• Vendor communication modules
  
• Real-time status updates
  
• Integration with finance and inventory systems
  

Many tools offer cloud-based access, mobile support, and reporting dashboards that give real-time insights into purchasing activity.

3. ERP Systems (For Enterprise-Level Operations)

Larger enterprises benefit from ERP platforms that include PO tracking as part of a larger procurement and finance module. These platforms support end-to-end automation—from requisition to payment—across multiple departments and geographic locations.

Though more expensive, they provide unparalleled scalability, data consistency, and control. However, ERP systems require longer implementation periods and training.

Creating Standardized PO Templates

Standardizing purchase order templates ensures consistency and reduces miscommunication with vendors. Each PO should include:

• Company name and contact details
  
• Purchase order number
  
• Vendor information
  
• Date of issue
  
• Itemized list of products/services
  
• Quantity and pricing
  
• Delivery address and schedule
  
• Payment terms
  
• Tax information (if applicable)
  

Customized templates tailored to specific categories—like equipment orders, recurring services, or digital licenses—can improve clarity and simplify processing.

Automating Approval and Notification Workflows

Automation removes delays caused by manual follow-ups and document transfers. Most modern PO tracking tools allow:

• Instant notifications to approvers and procurement officers
  
• Auto-approval rules for specific items or vendors
  
• Escalation protocols if a PO remains unapproved for too long
  

For example, if a marketing manager creates a PO for software below a threshold amount, the system can auto-approve it without waiting for finance.

Notifications also keep vendors informed about acceptance, expected delivery windows, and payment timelines—helping build better supplier relationships.

Centralizing Documentation and Recordkeeping

Disorganized documentation is one of the main reasons companies face audit challenges and financial inconsistencies. Implement a centralized system where:

• All POs are stored with a version history
  
• Requisitions, delivery receipts, and invoices are linked.
  
• Team members can access documents based on permissions.
  
• Historical orders are searchable by vendor, department, or date.
  

Cloud-based storage reduces the risk of data loss and facilitates collaboration across teams working remotely.

Integrating with Accounting and Inventory Systems

Purchase order tracking cannot work in isolation. The best outcomes are achieved when the tracking system integrates with:

• Accounting software to ensure real-time payment tracking
  
• Inventory tools to adjust stock levels upon delivery
  
• CRM systems for customer-linked orders
  

Integration eliminates redundant data entry, speeds up processing, and maintains alignment across functions.

For instance, when an approved PO triggers an inventory update, the system should also notify accounts payable to prepare for incoming invoices, avoiding late payments.

Establishing Reporting and Metrics

Tracking without analysis is like navigating without a map. Businesses must use the data collected from PO activity to identify trends, risks, and performance insights.

Key metrics to track include:

• Number of POs issued per month
  
• Average approval time
  
• Vendor delivery delays
  
• PO-to-invoice match rate
  
• Total procurement spend by department
  
• Frequency of emergency purchases
  

Such metrics help in budgeting, vendor evaluation, and operational refinement. Dashboards can visualize these insights for better decision-making.

Training Staff and Ensuring Compliance

No PO tracking system works without user adoption. Training is critical, especially for teams not familiar with procurement processes. Training modules should cover:

• How to raise requisitions
  
• What documentation is required
  
• How to interpret PO statuses
  
• Using the tracking system efficiently
  
• Vendor communication best practices
  

Compliance should also be enforced through internal audits, approval logs, and periodic policy reviews.

Building a Vendor-Friendly Experience

Vendors play an essential role in the PO lifecycle. A poorly communicated or delayed purchase order can frustrate vendors, damage relationships, or result in supply issues.

To ensure a vendor-friendly process:

• Send POs promptly with clear details
  
• Offer multiple communication channels.
  
• Avoid last-minute changes without consultation.
  
• Share access to a vendor portal if available.
  

Vendors appreciate professionalism and predictability—qualities enhanced by a structured PO tracking system.

Scaling the System with Business Growth

As businesses grow, so does the complexity of procurement. New departments, product categories, or global suppliers introduce new challenges. To stay efficient:

• Periodically revisit workflow structures
  
• Adjust approval thresholds based on spend analysis.
  
• Expand system capacity and user licenses.
  
• Add new vendor profiles and category-specific workflows.
  

A scalable tracking system evolves with business needs, supporting long-term efficiency and compliance.

Best Practices for Freelancers and Independent Contractors

Independent professionals often work solo, managing both service delivery and procurement. While their purchase volumes are lower, freelancers must still stay organized to protect profits and avoid tax or documentation issues.

Track Every Purchase—Even Small Ones

Freelancers often make digital purchases like subscriptions, online tools, or outsourced support. Even if a PO isn’t issued formally, keep a centralized list of all expenses, along with receipts, vendor emails, and payment confirmations.

Using a basic PO log with fields like item name, vendor, cost, date, and project association helps maintain clear expense records, especially useful during tax season or client billing.

Use Cloud-Based or Mobile Tools

Freelancers are often mobile and benefit from tools that allow them to create and track purchase entries from any device. Choose apps that support expense tagging, real-time notifications, and receipt scanning.

Align Purchases with Client Projects

If an expense is billed to a client, link the purchase order or invoice reference to that project. This avoids confusion during invoicing and ensures full reimbursement or markup.

Best Practices for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs)

Small businesses operate in competitive environments with limited budgets and staff. PO tracking for them is about striking a balance between efficiency and cost control.

Create Tiered Approval Rules

Avoid bottlenecks by defining approval rules based on value or department. For example:

• Orders below a set limit need only one level of approval
  
• Recurring purchases from verified vendors can be auto-approved
  
• Urgent one-time purchases can follow an express route with alerts.
  

This flexibility ensures agility without compromising governance.

Regularly Audit PO and Vendor Data

In SMBs, it’s common to deal with many local suppliers. Conduct quarterly audits to:

• Verify vendor information
  
• Remove inactive or duplicate suppliers.
  
• Check for unauthorized purchases.
  
• Analyze cost variations from vendors.
  

Audits help maintain data hygiene and optimize supplier relationships.

Integrate with Expense Management Systems

Link your PO tracking system with expense software to streamline cash flow visibility. This integration ensures purchases are reflected in budgets instantly and helps avoid overspending.

Train Department-Level Users

Decentralized purchasing can lead to confusion. Equip team leads with access to create requisitions, but ensure finance or procurement reviews all POs before approval. Training sessions every quarter can refresh process knowledge and ensure compliance.

Best Practices for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Businesses

In manufacturing, purchase orders are central to production continuity. Delays, miscounts, or price fluctuations can halt operations. For these businesses, purchase order tracking must be deeply integrated and tightly managed.

Sync POs with Inventory in Real-Time

Manufacturing operations rely on just-in-time inventory or batch procurement. PO tracking tools must update inventory levels as soon as goods are received. This avoids double-ordering or stockouts and improves procurement timing.

Automate Reorder Alerts

Use consumption data to trigger automated POs when inventory hits critical levels. This reduces manual workload and ensures uninterrupted production.

Perform Three-Way Matching Automatically

Implement systems that perform a three-way match between the PO, goods received note, and supplier invoice. This catches discrepancies instantly and speeds up payment approvals.

Maintain Supplier Performance Dashboards

Track metrics such as:

• On-time delivery rate
  
• Rejection or damage rates
  
• Response times to queries
  
• Price consistency
  

Use this data to rank suppliers and negotiate better terms. Poor-performing vendors can be flagged or phased out systematically.

Set Up Contingency Protocols

Supply chain disruptions are common. Maintain an alternate supplier list for each item category. Set workflows that allow emergency PO creation and approval when regular supply channels fail.

Best Practices for Service-Based Businesses

Service businesses often purchase tools, licenses, subscriptions, outsourced labor, or equipment rentals. While they don’t manage physical inventory in the traditional sense, tracking purchases is still critical.

Digitize All Recurring Purchases

List all subscription-based tools and licenses (e.g., software, marketing platforms). Use PO tracking systems to:

• Set renewal reminders
  
• Record payment history
  
• Monitor price changes
  
• Cancel redundant services
  

Centralizing these records prevents duplicate purchases and unauthorized renewals.

Link POs with Project Budgets

If your service is project-based, every PO should align with a specific budget line. Tracking this ensures that teams don’t exceed planned spend. It also helps with calculating profit margins at project close.

Track Subcontractor Invoices with POs

If you outsource designers, consultants, or support staff, raise internal POs even before receiving their invoices. This ensures pre-approval and makes payment cycles faster and more accurate.

Create Templates for Common Purchases

Use PO templates for frequent purchases like advertising, training, or equipment rental. This standardization reduces errors and speeds up approvals.

Best Practices for Retail and E-Commerce Businesses

Retail and online businesses have high purchase volumes and short delivery windows. Purchase order tracking in these sectors must be automated, scalable, and vendor-centric.

Barcode Integration for Receiving Goods

Use barcode systems to scan incoming items and match them to purchase orders instantly. This reduces manual errors and speeds up stock updates.

Automate Vendor Order Cycles

For frequently sold products, set reorder levels and automate PO creation. Use sales data to predict demand and reduce overstocking or missed sales opportunities.

Flag Price Fluctuations Automatically

Vendors may change prices from one PO to another. Automate alerts if price differences exceed a set threshold. This protects margins and ensures transparency in vendor relations.

Track Seasonal Orders Separately

Retail businesses often place seasonal or promotional orders. Tag these separately in your PO system to analyze their performance and ROI. This helps in planning future campaigns.

Enable Vendor Portals

Allow suppliers to log into a secure portal where they can view POs, update delivery status, or upload invoices. This reduces back-and-forth communication and keeps all records centralized.

Universal Best Practices Across All Business Types

Some PO tracking practices apply regardless of industry. These include:

Use Sequential Numbering

Assign unique and sequential PO numbers to avoid duplication and improve traceability. Prefix codes can represent department or project categories for faster referencing.

Archive All PO-Related Communication

Keep vendor emails, revision requests, delivery confirmations, and invoices linked to each PO. Centralized communication prevents miscommunication and speeds up audits.

Conduct Quarterly Reviews

Every few months, analyze:

• Total orders per vendor
  
• Delayed or disputed POs
  
• Average order processing time
  
• Percentage of approved vs. rejected requests
  

These insights can guide policy updates and improve procurement strategies.

Stay Compliant with Tax and Regulatory Norms

Ensure all POs and supporting documents meet the required tax, import/export, or financial audit regulations in your jurisdiction. A well-maintained PO trail can protect you during disputes or inspections.

Build Emergency Purchase Protocols

Every business encounters urgent procurement needs. Have a predefined process for express PO creation, including fast-track approval and temporary budget allocation.

Inconsistent Purchase Order Processes Across Departments

In organizations with multiple teams, the lack of standardized PO processes often creates confusion. Some departments may use spreadsheets, while others rely on emails or verbal approvals. This inconsistency leads to duplicate purchases, miscommunication with vendors, and inefficiencies in recordkeeping.

Solution:

• Establish a uniform PO policy across departments, with clearly defined stages: requisition, approval, issue, delivery confirmation, and payment.
  
• Introduce centralized PO management software to ensure consistency.
  
• Offer training sessions to every department, ensuring clarity on how to raise and track POs.
  
• Use templates for different purchase categories to reduce deviation.
  

Delayed Approvals and Bottlenecks

A frequent complaint in purchase order tracking is that POs get stuck waiting for approval. Whether due to absent approvers, unclear thresholds, or inefficient workflows, delays can halt critical purchases and affect project timelines.

Solution:

• Define approval thresholds based on value, urgency, or category.
  
• Implement automated approval workflows with multi-level rules.
  
• Enable email or app-based approval alerts to eliminate unnecessary delays.
  
• Introduce backup approvers for when the primary approver is unavailable.
  

Poor Communication with Vendors

Another pain point is inconsistent or unclear communication with suppliers. Purchase orders may be sent with missing details, delivery changes may not be updated, or invoices may not match the original PO.

Solution:

• Use detailed PO templates that include all necessary terms: delivery date, payment terms, itemized pricing, and product specs.
  
• Confirm vendor acceptance of every PO via written confirmation.
  
• Use vendor portals (if available) to allow suppliers to check status, upload documents, and update delivery schedules.
  
• Track all communication related to a PO in one centralized system.
  

Manual Data Entry and Human Error

Manual PO tracking—especially via spreadsheets or paper-based methods—leads to data duplication, misplaced orders, and incorrect entries. These errors compromise inventory levels, financial records, and audit trails.

Solution:

• Transition from manual to digital PO systems that automate data entry and reduce errors.
  
• Use drop-down fields, barcode inputs, and auto-filled templates to ensure accuracy.
  
• Integrate the PO system with inventory, accounting, and procurement platforms to eliminate redundant data entry.
  
• Regularly audit purchase orders to catch and correct inconsistencies.
  

Lack of Real-Time Visibility

Without a real-time view of purchase order statuses, businesses risk making reactive decisions. Teams may reorder items already in transit or fail to follow up on overdue deliveries.

Solution:

• Choose PO tracking systems that offer real-time dashboards showing current PO statuses—pending, approved, shipped, received, or paid.
  
• Use filters by vendor, department, or status to locate POs quickly.
  
• Implement automated notifications for status changes, vendor updates, or delivery confirmations.
  

Mismatch Between POs, Deliveries, and Invoices

Discrepancies between what was ordered, what was delivered, and what was invoiced can lead to payment disputes, inventory confusion, or overcharges.

Solution:

• Use a three-way matching process to compare the PO, goods receipt, and invoice before payment is approved.
  
• Assign staff or tools to flag inconsistencies early and notify the relevant department.
  
• Require vendors to reference PO numbers on invoices to ensure easy reconciliation.
  
• Train warehouse and accounts payable teams to follow a standard receiving and verification process.
  

Difficulty in Tracking Recurring or Subscription-Based Purchases

Recurring costs like software subscriptions, maintenance contracts, or retainer services often go unmonitored because they are not linked to a traditional PO system. This leads to forgotten renewals or duplicate payments.

Solution:

• Create recurring POs or purchase logs for subscription-based services.
  
• Set calendar reminders for renewals and review cycles.
  
• Use PO tracking tools that allow tagging and status alerts for recurring costs.
  
• Assign category managers for each service or subscription to maintain oversight.
  

Compliance and Audit Challenges

Missing documents, incomplete POs, or poorly documented changes can lead to audit red flags, compliance issues, or regulatory penalties, especially in industries like healthcare, government contracting, or finance.

Solution:

• Maintain a digital archive of every PO, invoice, delivery receipt, and vendor communication.
  
• Track version history for every PO to show changes and approvals over time.
  
• Generate automated audit trails for every transaction.
  
• Schedule internal compliance reviews at regular intervals.
  

Difficulty Scaling the PO System

As businesses grow, the volume of purchase orders and the number of stakeholders involved increase. A system that worked for a small team may buckle under the pressure of enterprise-level activity.

Solution:

• Choose scalable PO software that grows with your business, supporting additional users, integrations, and categories.
  
• Design modular workflows that adapt to different departments or locations.
  
• Invest in cloud-based platforms for easy access across branches or remote teams.
  
• Review your PO processes annually to adjust for business changes.
  

Vendor Non-Compliance with PO Processes

Some vendors bypass formal PO processes and send shipments or invoices without receiving a valid PO. This breaks the tracking chain and creates financial inconsistencies.

Solution:

• Enforce a “No PO, No Payment” policy to ensure compliance.
  
• Educate vendors during onboarding about the need for formal POs.
  
• Automate PO issuance for recurring or pre-approved purchases to prevent delays.
  
• Maintain a list of non-compliant vendors and conduct reviews before re-engaging them.
  

Inefficient Handling of Emergency Purchases

In urgent situations, teams often skip standard PO protocols to expedite the process. While this may be necessary, it leaves gaps in documentation and budget control.

Solution:

• Create an express PO workflow for emergency purchases—with defined limits, approval shortcuts, and post-facto reconciliation.
  
• Allow only select users or departments to initiate emergency purchases.
  
• Flag emergency POs in reports to monitor frequency and improve future planning.
  
• Track reasons for each emergency purchase to determine whether a new recurring order should be established instead.
  

Difficulty in Analyzing Spend Data

If your PO tracking system doesn’t categorize or tag purchases effectively, it becomes difficult to analyze procurement trends or make budgetary decisions.

Solution:

• Assign categories or cost centers to every PO for structured reporting.
  
• Use tags like department, vendor type, or item purpose to filter spend data.
  
• Generate monthly or quarterly reports to identify trends, high-spend areas, and cost-saving opportunities.
  
• Combine PO data with inventory, accounts payable, and budgeting tools for comprehensive analysis.
  

Lack of User Training and Adoption

Even the most advanced PO tracking system fails if users do not understand how to use it or bypass it altogether. Inconsistent usage undermines the entire procurement structure.

Solution:

• Offer role-specific training modules for new hires and existing employees.
  
• Create visual guides or walkthroughs for system usage.
  
• Provide support access or a designated procurement help desk.
  
• Encourage feedback and conduct periodic refresher sessions to reinforce usage.
  

Conclusion

Every business—regardless of size or industry—faces challenges when managing and tracking purchase orders. However, these challenges are not insurmountable. By identifying the root cause of PO tracking issues and implementing targeted solutions, organizations can build a more transparent, efficient, and scalable procurement system.

The key lies in combining automation with policy, visibility with accountability, and simplicity with structure. Whether it’s delayed approvals, vendor miscommunication, or audit risk, each pain point can be resolved with thoughtful workflows, the right tools, and team commitment.

With all four parts of this series, you now have a comprehensive blueprint for building, implementing, improving, and troubleshooting a robust purchase order tracking system—one that saves time, reduces cost, and increases operational resilience.