From Bilateral Fit to a Multi-Party Opportunity Graph
A framework for showing when a buyer-supplier fit needs additional roles before it becomes operationally plausible.
A bilateral match connects one need with one complementary offer. An opportunity graph adds the operational roles and value flows required to make that fit usable, such as processing, logistics or storage. Confirmed participants and missing roles must remain distinct. A graph is a hypothesis for human review, not evidence that every required company exists or will participate.
The NODE opportunity framework
Map the need, offer, dependencies and evidence before deciding whether a multi-party candidate is coherent enough to review.
| Dimension | What to examine | Decision rule |
|---|---|---|
| Need node | Identify the organisation requirement that starts the graph and the conditions it imposes. | Do not build a graph around an unconfirmed business need. |
| Offer node | Connect the primary resource or capability that creates bilateral fit. | Keep the original score and uncertainties visible. |
| Dependency roles | Add only roles justified by the material, geography or timing of the scenario. | Represent unavailable providers as missing roles, not invented participants. |
| Evidence edges | Describe what each relationship contributes and which facts support it. | Require human review before treating a graph as actionable. |
Example: circular-material route
A buyer need and recycled-material offer create bilateral fit, while the material requires processing and cross-border transport.
The graph can show a confirmed processor, a missing logistics role and the value flow between them without claiming the route is complete.
Illustrative scenario, not a customer claim or guaranteed outcome.Current FoundBefore graph scope
The pilot can map supported processing, logistics and storage roles and keep missing roles explicit.
It does not search every possible business role or guarantee that a multi-party opportunity can be contracted or executed.
Limits and responsibilities
- Supported role logic is deliberately bounded.
- A complete graph is not a completed deal.
- Every participant controls interest and disclosure independently.
FoundBefore does not guarantee a match, buyer, supplier, partnership or completed deal. Identity disclosure requires mutual consent, and the controlled pilot does not replace procurement, contracting or human review.
Use graphs to expose operational dependencies and missing roles, not to manufacture certainty around a promising bilateral match.