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Quick answer
The Maverick Spend Investigation template is a pre-built spend analysis workflow used to find and address purchasing that bypassed the process or the preferred supplier. It runs across 6 stages, from issue raised to closed and analyzed, captures 8 standard fields including transaction reference and preferred supplier available, and applies 4 automations so routing, checks and record-keeping happen without manual chasing.
This is a working spend analysis workflow rather than a document to fill in. Each investigation is raised through a structured form covering 8 fields, then moves through 6 defined stages with a named owner at every step. 4 automations handle the parts teams normally do by hand: routing, validation, reminders and record updates. Because the template is pre-configured, a procurement manager can adjust approval thresholds and field labels to match internal policy and start using it in roughly 15 minutes, then connect it to SAP or Zapro Spend Analytics.
The problem it solves. Off-process buying is only visible as unexpected invoices, long after the commitment was made. This template gives the process a single front door and a trail that holds up in an audit.
Every investigation follows the same 6 stages, so anyone can see where a record is without asking. Stages, owners and exit conditions are configurable if your policy differs.
Anyone can log the investigation with the reference document, the amount in question and supporting evidence.
Zapro categorizes the issue, assigns severity and routes it to the team that can actually resolve it.
The owner gathers the related documents and transaction history from the linked records in one place.
Supplier or internal follow-up happens in a shared thread that stays attached to the case.
The corrective action, credit or adjustment is agreed and approved by the CFO or CPO.
The case closes with a root-cause code so recurring issues become visible instead of invisible.
These 8 fields are pre-configured on the intake form. Mandatory rules, picklists and validation are already applied, so an investigation cannot progress with gaps in it.
Configured once during setup, then enforced consistently on every record without further effort.
It triggers the moment the condition is met, so nothing waits on someone noticing it first.
This runs as a built-in rule, which removes the follow-up chasing that usually surrounds it.
Zapro applies this to every investigation as it enters the workflow, so nobody has to remember to do it.
| Aspect | Manual process | With the Zapro template |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation handling | Off-process buying is only visible as unexpected invoices, long after the commitment was made | One workflow that helps you find and address purchasing that bypassed the process or the preferred supplier |
| Audit readiness | Evidence reassembled from mailboxes at audit time | Complete trail generated as the work happens |
| Cycle time | Depends on who is chasing this week | Predictable, with reminders and escalation built in |
| Status visibility | Chase people on email or Slack to find out where it is | Live status on every record, visible to requester and approver |
| Approvals | Forwarded emails with no record of who approved what | Rules-based routing with a time-stamped approval trail |
The workflow syncs with the systems your team already uses, which keeps master data and transaction records aligned without re-keying.
The Zapro product page behind this template and everything it connects to.
The KPI set used to measure procurement value delivery.
Turning spend insight into a category strategy.
It is a pre-built spend analysis workflow in Zapro that lets procurement teams find and address purchasing that bypassed the process or the preferred supplier. Each investigation is captured on an 8-field form, moves through 6 stages with a named owner at each step, and is supported by 4 automations covering routing, validation and record updates.
Most teams have it running in about 15 minutes. The stages, fields and automations are already configured, so setup is mainly adjusting approval thresholds, field labels and owner assignments to match your own policy.
Primarily procurement managers, working with chief procurement officers and category managers. It is most commonly used by procurement teams across industries, though the workflow itself is not sector-specific.
From your ERP, accounting system and Zapro transaction history, combined into one classified data set rather than a manual extract.
Claimed savings are compared against actual post-implementation spend for the same category, so the number that reaches finance is the realized one.
Zapro ships with this template plus the rest of the procurement and vendor management suite. Start with the investigation process and expand into sourcing, contracts, invoices and spend when you are ready.
