The Legal Foundation of Purchase Orders
A purchase order is not just an administrative formality. It is an offer that, once accepted by the supplier, becomes a contract. That contract defines the responsibilities of both parties. Buyers are obligated to pay for the goods or services as agreed, and sellers are obligated to deliver those goods or services according to the specifications.
In most jurisdictions, this relationship is governed by commercial law, which includes principles of offer and acceptance, consideration, and mutual intent to form a contract. While a verbal agreement might be valid in some situations, written purchase orders offer clarity and evidence in case of disputes.
The enforceability of a purchase order means that cancelling it after issuance must be done with care. If not properly managed, a cancelled PO can lead to legal claims such as breach of contract, especially if the supplier has already incurred costs or started fulfilling the order. Understanding the legal implications of a PO cancellation is critical to protecting your company from lawsuits, financial penalties, and reputational damage.
Common Scenarios Where Purchase Orders Are Cancelled
There are numerous situations in which a business might want or need to cancel a purchase order. Some of the most common include pricing changes, product unavailability, delivery delays, budgetary adjustments, changes in project scope, supplier performance issues, or internal clerical errors.
A company may have overestimated its needs and placed a large order that is no longer justified. Or a supplier may have a significantly delayed shipment, threatening downstream operations. Perhaps an urgent need has changed, or the requested product is no longer required. In all these scenarios, the business may look to cancel the purchase order to avoid financial waste or operational complications.
However, regardless of the motivation behind the cancellation, it must be approached through the correct legal and procedural channels. Failure to do so can damage the relationship with the supplier and expose the buyer to liability.
The Role of Terms and Conditions in PO Cancellations
The best way to mitigate risks associated with cancelling a purchase order is to establish clear, detailed, and mutually agreed-upon terms and conditions when the PO is created. This section should address possible changes, cancellations, and what remedies are available to both parties in case of non-compliance.
Including a cancellation clause in every purchase order protects both the buyer and the supplier. It can specify what types of cancellation are permitted, the allowable timeframe for requesting cancellation, any applicable penalties or restocking fees, and how disputes are to be resolved.
For example, a cancellation clause might state that cancellations must be made within three business days of the PO being issued, or before shipment confirmation, whichever comes first. It might also allow for cancellation if the supplier fails to meet agreed delivery dates or if the items ordered are no longer available.
This section of the PO may also outline what happens if either party breaches the agreement. For instance, if the buyer cancels without proper notice and the supplier has already incurred expenses, the buyer may be liable for reimbursement.
Supplier Cancellation Policies
In addition to including your cancellation terms in a purchase order, it is important to understand the supplier’s cancellation policies. Many vendors have policies that dictate under what conditions a PO may be cancelled, whether refunds are possible, and whether restocking fees or other costs will apply.
Suppliers may not accept cancellations once an order has entered production or has been shipped. They may offer partial refunds only or require compensation for costs already incurred. Understanding these policies is important before submitting a PO, as it can affect your flexibility and ability to cancel if something changes unexpectedly.
Establishing clear communication with the supplier early in the relationship will make it easier to navigate these policies should the need for cancellation arise. In some cases, long-term vendor relationships may include more flexible cancellation terms, negotiated based on mutual trust and volume commitments.
Importance of Timing in Purchase Order Cancellations
Timing is one of the most crucial elements when it comes to cancelling a purchase order. A PO that is cancelled early—before the supplier has accepted or begun fulfilling it—can often be voided with minimal consequences. Once the supplier has accepted the order, ordered raw materials, allocated labor, or started production, the situation becomes significantly more complicated.
The buyer’s liability generally increases in proportion to the supplier’s fulfillment progress. If goods have been shipped or delivered, the buyer may have limited recourse and may instead need to pursue returns or contract amendments. If manufacturing has started, the supplier may rightfully demand compensation.
For this reason, businesses should have internal systems in place to flag any potential PO errors quickly and notify suppliers as soon as possible. A centralized procurement platform and defined internal review workflows can help reduce the incidence of PO errors and minimize costly cancellations.
Legal Jurisdiction and Contractual Remedies
Another important factor in determining whether and how a PO can be cancelled is the legal jurisdiction governing the transaction. Purchase orders often contain a clause specifying which country or region’s laws will apply in case of a dispute. This can greatly influence the resolution process if a cancellation becomes contentious.
Depending on the jurisdiction, the legal system may favor the supplier’s right to compensation or the buyer’s right to withdraw. Local consumer protection laws, trade regulations, and industry standards may all play a role. For international orders, this becomes even more complex, as laws may differ significantly across borders.
It is advisable to consult a legal expert familiar with the applicable jurisdiction before attempting to cancel a complex or high-value PO. Legal counsel can help interpret the terms, assess risk, and guide the business in either negotiating an amicable cancellation or preparing for possible legal consequences.
Structuring Purchase Orders to Allow Flexibility
A well-structured purchase order does more than document what goods or services are being purchased. It functions as a tool to minimize future misunderstandings, legal liabilities, and operational disruptions. One of the best ways to manage the risk of cancellations is to build in the flexibility to accommodate change. This begins with comprehensive, forward-looking terms and conditions.
When drafting purchase orders, it is important to consider the full lifecycle of the order, from submission and acceptance to potential modification, cancellation, or dispute. This means defining parameters for every stage of the process, including acceptable timeframes for order changes, allowable reasons for cancellations, and mutual remedies should things go wrong.
Flexibility must be balanced with clarity. Vague language may lead to multiple interpretations that open the door to conflict. Instead, use precise terminology to define the scope of goods or services, delivery windows, pricing conditions, and performance standards.
For example, your PO might include a clause stating that changes to quantity or delivery dates are acceptable within five business days of order confirmation, but that late changes will incur a surcharge. It may specify that cancellations requested after shipping confirmation will not be honored, or may include penalties for partial fulfillment or administrative costs.
Common PO Terms That Support Cancelation Protocols
Several standard clauses can be included in a purchase order to make cancellation smoother and protect both the buyer and supplier in case things do not proceed as planned. These include:
Modification Clauses
This outlines what changes can be made to the purchase order, under what circumstances, and who is authorized to make them. It can clarify if changes must be submitted in writing, who must approve them, and the timeline for implementation.
Cancellation Clauses
This defines when and how a PO can be cancelled. It may permit cancellation without penalty within a defined period or allow cancellation only under specific conditions such as non-performance, pricing issues, or changes in project scope. Some clauses may require payment of a restocking or administrative fee to compensate the supplier.
Force Majeure Clauses
These provisions protect both parties in case of events outside their control, such as natural disasters, government actions, or supply chain disruptions. Force majeure may allow for suspension of the agreement or cancellation without fault.
Dispute Resolution Clauses
To avoid costly litigation, POs can include terms requiring disputes to be resolved through arbitration or mediation. This clause can also define the legal jurisdiction and applicable law.
Termination for Convenience Clauses
Some buyers choose to include this type of clause to allow cancellation for any reason, without requiring breach of contract or supplier fault. While this offers maximum flexibility, it often involves payment of fair compensation to the supplier for any work done or expenses incurred up to the date of cancellation.
Internal Purchase Order Workflows for Accuracy
Even the best legal protections cannot prevent cancellations caused by internal errors. Inaccurate data entry, incorrect supplier selection, or duplicate orders can all trigger the need to retract a purchase order. To prevent such scenarios, companies must implement internal workflows that prioritize accuracy, review, and accountability.
A well-designed purchase order workflow ensures that each PO undergoes multiple checks before submission. This may include:
Purchase requisition approval
Before a PO is created, employees submit a purchase requisition that justifies the need, budget availability, and alignment with business goals. The requisition is then reviewed and approved by the appropriate department or budget holder.
Vendor selection verification
Ensure that the supplier listed in the PO is approved, compliant with procurement standards, and able to fulfill the order on the terms stated. This step also verifies that negotiated terms such as pricing and delivery times are correctly included.
Line-item validation
Each product or service line should be reviewed to confirm that quantities, prices, descriptions, and tax or shipping considerations are accurate and match contract terms or quotes.
Legal and financial compliance review
Ensure that the terms and conditions of the purchase order are compliant with both internal policies and applicable legal standards. Finance and legal teams should validate contract terms and risk factors.
Executive or procurement approval
For high-value or strategic purchases, an additional layer of oversight may be added. Executive sign-off helps mitigate risk by ensuring alignment with business objectives and supplier strategy.
By automating parts of this workflow through procurement systems, businesses can reduce delays and errors while improving compliance. Automation also helps capture a digital audit trail, enabling transparency and accountability in the event of a cancellation dispute.
Documenting Every Stage of the Procurement Process
Comprehensive documentation is one of the most powerful tools a company can use to support or justify a purchase order cancellation. In many cases, being able to demonstrate the sequence of events, conversations, and decisions involved in the procurement process can prevent conflict or resolve misunderstandings.
Maintain clear and accurate records of the following:
Initial quotes and pricing
Store copies of all supplier quotes, proposals, and pricing agreements used to generate the PO. If prices were miscommunicated or expired before submission, documentation may help justify cancellation.
Email correspondence
Keep records of all relevant communications with the supplier, especially those that reference changes to delivery, payment terms, or the scope of the order. These communications may help prove that mutual agreement existed to cancel or modify an order.
Signed agreements
Save all signed contracts, amendments, and confirmations. A signed acknowledgment of a cancellation request or change order can protect your business against future claims.
Internal approvals
Ensure your records include copies of the internal approvals and decision-making steps that led to the PO creation and submission. These records can verify that proper processes were followed.
Proof of delivery or non-performance
In disputes over whether the supplier delivered or fulfilled their part of the contract, records such as packing slips, invoices, delivery confirmations, or third-party inspection reports can support your case.
If your business is using manual processes or outdated procurement systems, creating and maintaining this level of documentation can be challenging. Modern procurement tools offer cloud-based storage, real-time communication logs, and automated document organization that dramatically improvedocumentation and auditing capability.
Supplier Communication Before and After PO Issuance
Establishing clear and frequent communication with your suppliers not only strengthens the relationship but also improves your ability to manage changes like cancellations without damaging trust or causing legal complications.
Before a PO is issued, discuss expectations around changes and cancellations with your supplier. Address questions such as:
What is their standard cancellation policy?
What is the latest point at which a PO can be modified or cancelled without penalty?
How are backorders or delivery delays handled?
Are there restocking fees or other financial implications tied to cancellation?
By setting expectations in advance, both sides have a shared understanding of what is and is not acceptable. This can reduce resistance and confusion if cancellation becomes necessary.
After a PO has been issued, keep the supplier informed of any changes promptly. If cancellation is under consideration, provide early warning and discuss alternatives before making a final decision. In some cases, suppliers may be able to accommodate changes or offer alternative solutions such as postponement, partial delivery, or substitution.
Effective communication can often transform a potentially contentious cancellation into a collaborative solution that protects both parties’ interests.
Proactive Contract and Policy Development
One of the most strategic steps an organization can take is to proactively develop a standardized purchase order policy and contract template that includes cancellation provisions, approval protocols, and escalation procedures.
These policies should be regularly reviewed and updated in consultation with legal, procurement, and operations teams. They should address common scenarios, specify who has the authority to cancel or modify a PO, and define the steps required to communicate and document such changes.
A proactive approach allows businesses to respond quickly and legally to changing needs without disrupting operations. It also fosters consistency across teams and suppliers, minimizing misunderstandings and setting a strong foundation for successful procurement relationships.
Handling Purchase Order Cancellations After Fulfillment Begins
Once a purchase order has been accepted and a supplier has begun work—whether that means manufacturing goods, organizing shipment, or allocating labor—the process of cancellation becomes considerably more delicate. At this stage, the supplier is likely to have committed time, money, and resources in reliance on your purchase order. Cancelling now may not only create a financial burden for the supplier but may also expose your company to liability.
When a buyer attempts to cancel under these circumstances, the supplier’s response will often depend on two key factors: the strength of the relationship and the clarity of the original purchase order. If your PO included clauses that outline cancellation terms post-fulfillment, these will guide the conversation. If no such terms exist, the matter may become one of contract law and good-faith negotiation.
Buyers in this situation should assess the specific stage of fulfillment. Has the supplier simply allocated materials, or has production begun? Have goods shipped, or are they still in inventory? The more advanced the fulfillment, the less likely cancellation without financial consequence will be possible. In many cases, even partial fulfillment will result in cancellation fees or the requirement to compensate the supplier for actual costs incurred.
Legal Remedies for Breach of Purchase Order Terms
When a purchase order cancellation leads to a conflict between buyer and supplier, both parties may consider legal remedies. From the supplier’s perspective, cancellation after acceptance and fulfillment may be treated as a breach of contract. The supplier may pursue reimbursement for production costs, lost profits, or other damages.
On the buyer’s side, cancellation may be justified in certain cases, such as if the supplier failed to meet delivery timelines, violated terms of the agreement, or delivered defective goods. In such cases, the buyer may seek to cancel the PO without penalty or even pursue damages for non-performance.
Legal outcomes in these cases depend heavily on jurisdiction and the specific language of the agreement. Some legal systems impose a duty of good faith in business transactions, while others rely strictly on written contract terms. In most scenarios, suppliers must prove they suffered measurable financial loss as a result of the cancellation to claim damages successfully.
When facing potential litigation, businesses should seek legal counsel immediately. An attorney can help assess liability, advise on available defenses, and represent the business in settlement discussions or court proceedings if necessary.
Exploring Negotiation as an Alternative to Conflict
Before resorting to legal action, both parties should consider negotiation as a faster, more affordable, and often more productive route to resolution. Even if a purchase order has been partially or fully fulfilled, suppliers may prefer to negotiate a reasonable settlement rather than engage in litigation, which can be time-consuming and costly for both sides.
Approaching the supplier with transparency and a willingness to collaborate is key. Explain the reasons for cancellation and propose a solution that acknowledges the supplier’s investment. For example, a buyer might agree to pay for goods already produced but request not to proceed with further fulfillment. Alternatively, the buyer might accept delivery but ask for payment terms to be extended or for inventory to be held until needed.
Suppliers may respond more favorably when the relationship has been built on trust and consistent communication. If this is the first time a problem has occurred and the buyer demonstrates integrity, suppliers are more likely to work out a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Agreements reached through negotiation should always be documented in writing. A formal change order, cancellation agreement, or contract amendment should reflect the new terms to avoid future disputes.
Mitigating the Impact of Partial Deliveries or Backorders
Sometimes, a purchase order is only partially fulfilled when cancellation becomes necessary. The supplier may have shipped some goods, with others still in production or pending shipment. In these cases, buyers should evaluate the feasibility of accepting the completed portion while cancelling the remainder.
Partial cancellations typically require careful documentation to ensure payment, inventory, and shipping records remain accurate. Buyers must also check whether accepting partial fulfillment aligns with their internal procurement policies and project requirements.
Suppliers may have a policy of refusing partial cancellation or may impose a fee to cover the disruption. Buyers must assess the cost-benefit of cancelling versus accepting the full order and finding alternate uses or buyers for surplus inventory.
In the case of backorders, where goods are delayed or unavailable, buyers may have greater justification for cancellation. If the supplier cannot fulfill the agreed delivery date and no alternate timeline is acceptable, the buyer may claim breach of contract. In such cases, buyers should document the supplier’s failure to deliver on time, including any email correspondence or written updates that support their claim.
Managing Financial Obligations After Cancellation
Cancelling a purchase order after fulfillment has begun may require settling certain financial obligations with the supplier. These might include:
Restocking fees
If goods were picked, packed, or shipped and then returned, suppliers often charge a restocking fee to cover labor, packaging, and handling.
Non-refundable deposits
For customized goods or made-to-order items, suppliers may require upfront deposits. These are often non-refundable once production starts.
Material or labor costs
Suppliers may seek reimbursement for raw materials purchased specifically for the cancelled order or labor hours already spent on production.
Freight or shipping costs
If the order was in transit or delivery was scheduled, the supplier may seek reimbursement for freight charges, particularly if they cannot redirect or reuse the goods.
Buyers should request a detailed breakdown of these costs from the supplier to confirm they align with the order and actual expenditures. Payment of reasonable and documented costs can often preserve the relationship while minimizing the risk of escalation.
Reputation Management During Cancellation
Even when cancellation is necessary and justified, it can affect your company’s reputation if not handled carefully. Suppliers often share information across networks and industries. Buyers known for cancelling orders without notice or payment risk losing preferred supplier status or being blacklisted from certain vendor lists.
To protect your reputation during a cancellation process, consider the following strategies:
Maintain transparency
Clearly explain the reasons for the cancellation. Whether it is due to budget cuts, project changes, or forecasting errors, honest communication builds credibility.
Show empathy
Acknowledge the supplier’s position and any losses they may incur. Expressing understanding can defuse tension and lay the groundwork for future cooperation.
Honor commitments
If your purchase order includes cancellation penalties, fulfill them promptly. Avoiding payment or ignoring supplier communications can cause long-term damage.
Offer alternatives
Where possible, work with the supplier to find a creative solution. This might include accepting delivery at a later date, splitting shipments, or redirecting inventory to another project or location.
Document every step
Keep thorough records of all communications, agreements, and approvals related to the cancellation. This will help resolve future misunderstandings and demonstrate good-faith efforts to resolve the issue.
By managing cancellations with professionalism and integrity, businesses can preserve valuable supplier relationships and demonstrate responsible procurement practices.
Building a Supplier Base That Supports Resilience
One of the most effective ways to avoid issues that lead to purchase order cancellations is to work with reliable, responsive, and adaptable suppliers. The quality of your supplier relationships can directly impact how well your business weathers unexpected changes. Establishing a supplier base built on transparency, communication, and shared goals is essential for long-term procurement success.
When vetting new suppliers, consider more than just pricing and delivery capacity. Evaluate their flexibility, financial health, ethical standards, and history of handling modifications or disruptions. These factors are especially important in industries where supply chains are complex or unpredictable.
A strong onboarding process for new vendors can help you clarify expectations from the start. Provide suppliers with clear documentation on your procurement policies, communication preferences, and terms for changes or cancellations. In return, ask about their requirements and limitations. Make sure the relationship is built on mutual understanding and shared risk responsibility.
Establishing a preferred supplier list based on performance metrics and historical reliability gives procurement teams more confidence when issuing high-value or time-sensitive purchase orders. Over time, this helps reduce the risk of unplanned cancellations by ensuring orders are only placed with partners who can deliver under pressure.
The Role of Forecasting in Preventing Cancellations
A large percentage of PO cancellations result not from supplier failure but from inaccurate or outdated forecasting on the buyer’s side. Poor demand planning, budget misalignment, or project delays can trigger the need to cancel orders that no longer match operational realities.
To prevent these issues, businesses must invest in proactive forecasting models that integrate real-time data from multiple departments. Sales, finance, operations, and procurement should work collaboratively to produce estimates that reflect actual market conditions and internal capabilities.
Effective forecasting includes:
Sales pipeline integration
Align procurement with expected revenue and deal flow. Purchase orders should reflect what is likely to close, not what is merely possible.
Budget alignment
Confirm that funding exists for the planned purchases and that budget owners have visibility into order timelines and costs before submission.
Inventory awareness
Monitor existing inventory levels closely to avoid over-ordering. Use historical data and seasonal trends to predict when restocking will truly be necessary.
Project management coordination
Connect procurement activity with project planning tools. Orders should align with actual project timelines, and changes in scope or delays should be communicated before POs are issued.
Scenario analysis
Run best-case and worst-case projections to understand how changes in demand, pricing, or delivery may affect purchasing needs.
When forecasting becomes a routine part of procurement, companies are far less likely to face cancellations caused by misalignment between need and action.
Upgrading Procurement Systems to Support Adaptability
Manual procurement systems increase the risk of order errors, communication breakdowns, and missing documentation—all of which can lead to cancellations. Investing in modern procurement technology helps businesses stay agile and reduce risk across every step of the purchase order lifecycle.
Key benefits of upgraded procurement systems include:
Real-time visibility
Procurement teams gain instant access to order statuses, supplier communication, budget constraints, and inventory data. This makes it easier to identify when a cancellation may be necessary and respond quickly.
Automated approval workflows
By routing purchase orders through designated approvers, businesses reduce the risk of duplicate orders, unauthorized spending, and incorrect submissions. Automation ensures consistent compliance with procurement policies.
Template standardization
Modern platforms allow users to generate POs from pre-approved templates that automatically apply company terms, cancellation clauses, and supplier-specific requirements. This minimizes legal ambiguity and reduces the time spent drafting contracts.
Change order tracking
Rather than cancelling a PO entirely, many systems allow users to submit change requests within the same platform. This simplifies the process of adjusting quantities, dates, or pricing while maintaining version history and audit trails.
Integration with financial systems
A seamless connection between procurement and accounting ensures that cancelled or modified orders are reflected in budgeting, payment, and reporting processes. This helps avoid overpayment, missed credits, or data discrepancies.
Procurement system upgrades are not just about efficiency—they’re about visibility and control. Businesses with better tools are more likely to prevent the kind of misunderstandings that lead to cancellations.
Developing a Contract Lifecycle Management Strategy
Effective purchase order management starts with contract management. Contracts outline the terms, conditions, and expectations for procurementand are often the first place stakeholders look when issues arise. Yet many businesses treat contracts as static documents rather than dynamic tools.
By creating a contract lifecycle management strategy, companies can ensure that contracts remain aligned with operational needs, market changes, and supplier capabilities over time. This reduces the need to cancel orders due to misaligned terms or outdated agreements.
A contract lifecycle strategy includes:
Centralized storage
Keep all contracts in a single, searchable location. This ensures teams always reference the latest version and can locate relevant clauses quickly.
Expiration and renewal tracking
Monitor contract end dates and renewal periods to avoid making purchases under expired agreements or auto-renewing unfavorable terms.
Clause standardization
Use consistent language for cancellation, modification, and dispute resolution clauses. Standardization ensures that all parties understand their rights and obligations without needing case-by-case legal review.
Periodic reviews
Schedule regular reviews of major vendor contracts to confirm pricing, delivery terms, and penalties remain relevant. Adjust as needed to reflect changes in supply chain conditions or business strategy.
Performance measurement
Track how well suppliers fulfill contractual obligations. Use this data when considering future purchases or deciding whether to renew, renegotiate, or cancel agreements.
Effective contract management enhances the value of every purchase order by ensuring that both parties enter the transaction with clarity and confidence.
Creating a Culture of Procurement Accountability
Ultimately, minimizing PO cancellations requires a company-wide culture of accountability and precision in procurement. This culture starts with leadership but is carried out by every team member who touches the purchase-to-pay process.
Procurement should not be viewed as a back-office task but as a strategic function that supports every department. When employees understand the cost and risk of poor purchasing decisions, they become more careful in how and when they place orders.
To reinforce this culture, consider:
Training and education
Offer ongoing training for employees who request or approve purchases. Teach them how to use procurement tools, read supplier contracts, and assess risk.
Policy enforcement
Apply procurement policies consistently, with clear consequences for non-compliance. Everyone should understand the approval process, budget thresholds, and documentation standards.
Cross-department collaboration
Encourage regular communication between procurement, finance, operations, and legal teams. Collaboration reduces siloed decision-making and increases accountability.
Audit and review
Periodically audit procurement activity to identify trends, track cancellations, and spot opportunities for improvement. Use this data to adjust workflows and train staff.
Recognition of success
Acknowledge and reward teams that demonstrate excellence in procurement accuracy, cost savings, and supplier management. Positive reinforcement can drive long-term behavioral change.
When accountability becomes part of procurement culture, cancellations become less frequent, less disruptive, and easier to manage when they do occur.
Conclusion
Cancelling a purchase order may seem like a straightforward administrative task, but in practice, it touches on critical aspects of business operations—legal obligations, supplier relationships, financial accountability, and operational agility. Whether driven by shifting business needs, forecasting errors, supply chain disruptions, or contract breaches, the cancellation of a PO can have far-reaching consequences if not handled with precision and care.
Understanding the legal nature of a purchase order as a binding agreement is the first and most crucial step in managing cancellations responsibly. Once a PO is accepted by a supplier, both parties are bound by its terms. Attempting to cancel without considering contractual obligations, supplier investments, and fulfillment status may lead to financial penalties or legal disputes. Proactive communication, well-drafted terms and conditions, and respectful negotiation can often resolve conflicts before they escalate.
Equally important is the role of prevention. By improving demand forecasting, establishing resilient supplier partnerships, and upgrading procurement technologies, businesses can reduce the frequency and impact of cancellations. The integration of procurement strategy with finance, operations, and legal teams ensures that purchase orders are not issued in isolation but as part of a synchronized business plan.
The strength of a company’s procurement process is not defined solely by how it places orders, but by how it manages them, especially when plans change. Purchase order cancellations are sometimes unavoidable, but they don’t have to derail your operations or damage relationships. With preparation, clarity, and a focus on collaboration, businesses can navigate cancellations while maintaining financial health and professional integrity.
Ultimately, a thoughtful and strategic approach to purchase order management allows businesses to remain agile, minimize risk, and uphold the trust that is essential to long-term supplier partnerships. Cancellations may be a part of doing business, but with the right practices in place, they don’t have to be a problem.