A method statement is a structured, contract-specific explanation of how the supplier will deliver a requirement through defined actions, people, controls, evidence and outcomes.
Detailed explanation
In tendering, a method statement is not simply a health and safety document or a restatement of company policy. It is the supplier’s delivery model for the question being evaluated. It should explain sequence, responsibility, resources, controls, interfaces, risks, reporting and measurable results.
High-scoring method statements make delivery easy to visualise. They use named roles, realistic timescales, decision points and evidence. Generic claims such as “we have robust procedures” carry limited value unless the bidder explains exactly what will happen on this contract.
A practical structure is: requirement, method, ownership, controls, evidence, risks, KPIs and improvement. The final response should be tested against every part of the question and the published scoring descriptor.
Why it matters
It is a common quality-response format and a major source of evaluation marks.
How buyers use it
Evaluators use method statements to assess whether the supplier’s proposed approach is credible, complete, contract-specific and capable of controlling delivery risk.
What suppliers should do
- Deconstruct every instruction and sub-question.
- Describe the delivery sequence step by step.
- Name accountable roles and interfaces.
- Include controls, evidence, KPIs and contingency.
- Independently score the draft against the published descriptor.
Where it fits in the process
- 1Question analysed
- 2Delivery method mapped
- 3Evidence and controls added
- 4Independent review completed
- 5Final response approved
Frequently asked questions
How long should a method statement be?
Use the permitted word or page limit efficiently. Length matters less than relevance, completeness and evidence.
Can we reuse previous method statements?
Reuse knowledge and evidence, but rewrite the response for the specific contract, question and scoring model.
Should policies be attached?
Only where requested or permitted. Summarise the relevant operating controls in the answer itself.
What evidence should be included?
Relevant outcomes, KPIs, case studies, systems, records and lessons that support the proposed method.
What is the best review test?
Ask whether an evaluator could understand exactly how the service will work from day one.
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