What Is a Purchase Requisition? The Step That Happens Before the PO

A purchase requisition is the internal request a department submits when they need something bought — before any commitment goes to a vendor. It's the approval gate that catches unauthorized spend, enforces budgets, and gives procurement enough information to issue a proper PO. Here is what a requisition actually is, how it differs from a PO, and why the pre-commitment step is where disciplined purchasing begins.