BRISK ATLAS / GUIDES
Supplier scorecard examples: three filled-in samples
Here are three complete supplier scorecard examples — a packaging supplier, a contract manufacturer and a freight forwarder — each with criteria, weights, 1–5 scores, must-have checks and the result calculated in Brisk Atlas. In two of the three, the supplier with the highest weighted score is not the one chosen. All suppliers are fictional.
1. Packaging supplier selection
Four box suppliers for a product launch. Capacity and an approved production sample are must-haves; quality carries the most weight.
| Criterion | Weight | Northline Packaging | Harbor Supply | Crestline Box Co. | Fieldworks Co. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality & specifications | 35% | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Delivery reliability | 25% | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Total evaluated cost | 25% | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Service & communication | 15% | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Weighted score / 5 | 4.10 | 4.25 | 4.75 | 3.75 | |
| Must-have: Can meet required capacity | Pass | Pass | Pass | Fail | |
| Must-have: Approved product sample | Pass | Pass | Unknown | Pass | |
| Outcome | Rank 2 | Rank 1 | Needs review | Failed a must-have |
Result: Harbor Supply ranks first with 4.25: 4 × 35% + 4 × 25% + 5 × 25% + 4 × 15% = 1.40 + 1.00 + 1.25 + 0.60 = 4.25. Crestline Box Co. scores higher (4.75) but its sample is untested, and Fieldworks Co. cannot supply the monthly volume.
How firm is it? Moderate. Cutting the cost weight from 25% to 18.5% (-6.5 points) would put Northline Packaging first; so would raising quality to 43.5%. If the panel cannot agree whether price deserves 25% or under 19%, that is the conversation to have.
Download this example (JSON) — import it into the scorecard to change the scores.
2. Contract manufacturer
Three electronics assemblers quoting a kitchen scale. A valid ISO 9001 certificate and acceptance of the IP and NDA terms are must-haves.
| Criterion | Weight | Apex Assembly | Brightway Electronics | Delta Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality system & first-pass yield | 30% | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Unit cost incl. tooling | 25% | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Engineering support | 20% | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Lead time | 15% | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Communication | 10% | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Weighted score / 5 | 3.90 | 4.10 | 3.90 | |
| Must-have: ISO 9001 certificate valid | Pass | Pass | Pass | |
| Must-have: Signs the IP and NDA terms | Pass | Pass | Fail | |
| Outcome | Rank 2 | Rank 1 | Failed a must-have |
Result: Brightway Electronics wins with 4.10: 4 × 30% + 4 × 25% + 5 × 20% + 4 × 15% + 3 × 10% = 1.20 + 1.00 + 1.00 + 0.60 + 0.30 = 4.10. Delta Works ties Apex Assembly on 3.90 but is out, because it will not sign the IP assignment clause.
How firm is it? Robust: the smallest change that alters the winner is quality system & first-pass yield moving +12 points to 42%, which puts Apex Assembly first. Lead time could take any weight from 0 to 100% without changing the winner.
3. Freight forwarder
Three forwarders for Asia–US ocean lanes, scored after a ten-container trial. A cargo insurance certificate and coverage of every lane are must-haves.
| Criterion | Weight | Meridian Freight | Pacific Bridge Logistics | Tidal Cargo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit-time reliability | 30% | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| All-in rate | 30% | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Shipment visibility | 15% | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Claims handling | 15% | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Customs support | 10% | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Weighted score / 5 | 3.85 | 3.60 | 4.25 | |
| Must-have: Cargo insurance certificate on file | Pass | Pass | Unknown | |
| Must-have: Covers every required lane | Pass | Pass | Pass | |
| Outcome | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Needs review |
Result: Meridian Freight ranks first with 3.85: 4 × 30% + 3 × 30% + 5 × 15% + 4 × 15% + 4 × 10% = 1.20 + 0.90 + 0.75 + 0.60 + 0.40 = 3.85. Tidal Cargo has the best score (4.25) and would rank first the day its insurance certificate arrives; until then it is not a candidate.
How firm is it? Moderate: raising the rate weight from 30% to 38% makes Pacific Bridge Logistics, the cheapest forwarder, the winner.
What the three examples show
- Must-haves decided two of three. The top weighted score lost in the packaging and freight examples because evidence was missing, not because of the arithmetic.
- Price is usually the closest lever. In the packaging and freight decisions the smallest weight change that alters the winner is on cost (-6.5 and +8 points). Agree that weight before the quotes are opened.
- Notes carry the reasons. Each score above has a one-line note in the JSON file — the trial result, the audit finding, the clause a supplier refused — which is what a reviewer will ask about.
Questions
Are these real suppliers?
No. The names, scores and notes are invented to show how a scorecard behaves. Use them as a pattern for your own evidence.
How do I reuse an example?
Download its JSON file and choose Import JSON in the scorecard, then rename the suppliers and change the scores. The packaging example is also the Example sheet of the Excel template.
More guides
- Supplier scorecard template (Excel, CSV and printable)Excel workbook with formulas, a blank CSV and a printable PDF.
- Supplier scorecard metrics: formulas and 1–5 scoringOTIF, defect PPM, responsiveness, invoicing and price, with formulas.
- Supplier evaluation criteria: what to score and what to gateMust-haves versus weighted criteria, with a worked counter-example.
- Weighted scoring model: formula, example and ExcelThe formula, a project selection example and the Excel version.
- Vendor scorecard: running a quarterly vendor reviewA worked quarterly review of three current vendors.