# User Guides

Step-by-step guides for operating ProcureFlow across every procurement role.

URL: https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/guides



These guides walk you through each task in ProcureFlow, from raising a purchase request to receiving goods. Pick the role that matches your work and follow the steps.

The procurement lifecycle moves through these stages:

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    A[Purchase Request] --> B[Sourcing Request]
    B --> C[RFQ]
    C --> D[Evaluation]
    D --> E[Purchase Order]
    E --> F[Goods Receipt]
    F --> G[Invoice]
    G --> H[Payment]
```

For Buyers [#for-buyers]

The buyer guides follow the lifecycle stages above. Each stage has its own page with an overview and step-by-step guides.

* [**Purchase Requests**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/purchase-request.md): Raise requests from catalogs, known suppliers, or for competitive sourcing, then review, approve, or cancel them.
* [**Sourcing Requests**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/sourcing-requests.md): Consolidate approved request lines and convert them into a draft RFQ.
* [**RFQs**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/sourcing.md): Create and send RFQs, manage supplier quotes, and evaluate and approve the winning bids.
* [**Auctions**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/auctions.md): Run sealed-bid reverse auctions as an alternative to RFQs for competitive bidding.
* [**Purchase Orders**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/purchase-orders.md): Issue, approve, and track purchase orders, and rate supplier performance after they close.
* [**Goods Receipt**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/goods-receipt.md): Record deliveries and confirm received items match the purchase order.
* [**Invoices**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/invoices.md): Upload supplier invoices and resolve three-way match approvals and mismatches.

For Admins [#for-admins]

Admin guides cover the one-time setup and ongoing management tasks that keep procurement running: budgets, payments, and your supplier directory.

* [**Finance**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/finance.md): Set up GL codes, cost centers, and budgets, then pay suppliers through payment runs.
* [**Supplier Management**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/supplier-management.md): Build your supplier directory, manage contacts and blacklists, and run accreditation.

For Suppliers [#for-suppliers]

Supplier guides live in the **Suppliers** tab in the sidebar. Share these with your suppliers when they ask how to respond in ProcureFlow:

* [**Supplier Portal**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/supplier-portal.md): Quote on RFQs, accept purchase orders, update delivery dates, and submit invoices.
* [**Participate in an Auction**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/auctions/supplier-auction.md): Verify their identity, bid across auction rounds, and track their ranking.
* [**Submit Accreditation Form**](https://www.procureflow.ai/docs/supplier-management/supplier-submit-accreditation.md): Complete the accreditation questionnaire you invited them to.