ART - P-Cards: Pitfalls & Success Strategies 2010

This document is an article from the February/March 2010 issue of GO prO, the official publication of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). The article, written by Lynn Larson, discusses the pitfalls and success strategies of Purchasing Card (P-card) programs. The article identifies 10 common pitfalls to avoid in P-card program management and provides strategies to transform these pitfalls into success strategies. Some of the key pitfalls discussed include the lack of infrastructure to support the program, the need for a qualified program administrator/manager, the importance of partnership with the card issuer, the need for effective communication to internal organization and suppliers, the lack of program goals and benchmarking, ineffective training, unclear or outdated policies and procedures, over- or under-controlling the program, complicated or inefficient processes, and ineffective card distribution. The article emphasizes the importance of regular reviews and ongoing management efforts to ensure the success of P-card programs.