Final answer:
In the purchase-to-pay process, the first step is requirements determination, where a company assesses its needs for goods and services before proceeding with procurement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step in the purchase-to-pay process is requirements determination. This is the stage where the company identifies what goods and services are necessary to meet the organization's needs. It means assessing what is needed, in what quantity, and when it should be delivered. This is a critical step as it lays the foundation for all subsequent actions in the purchasing process.
Purchase order processing, picking and packing, and goods receipt follow this initial step. By accurately determining what is required, organizations can ensure that they only order and pay for goods and services that they truly need, avoiding waste and optimizing resource allocation.