requisition

A requisition, in procurement, is a request for goods or services made by an employee to the person or department in a company that is responsible for purchasing. If the request is approved, that entity will submit a purchase order (PO) to a supplier for the goods or services. In this context, a requisition is also known as a purchase requisition.

Requisitions are usually submitted in a standardized format on a paper form or through e-procurement software that automates some of the tasks involved and reduces duplication of effort. A requisition form, whether physical or digital, typically includes the details about the item(s) requested, the date of the request, the individual and department making the request and the location where the goods should be delivered. Copies of the requisition, the purchase order, the invoice and the packing slip are usually stored together.

In other contexts, requisition means a formal request or demand, which might be (among many other things) a physician’s request for an MRI for a patient or a demand from shareholders to a board of directors, requiring them to vote on any resolutions that are proposed.