CIPS Procurement and Supply in Practice - L4M8 Exam Practice Test
What do STEEPLE and SWOT stand for?
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
After a need in an organization has been identified/understood, defined, justified and authorized, the next stages are to understand how commodity prices are reacting, which suppliers are available and their strength.
The make or buy decision can be reached with knowledge from this; the procurement professional can consider the organization external environment, strength, weakness opportunity and threat to develop strategy
/plan of how to achieve the procurement.
'STEEPLE' is an effective way to evaluate the external environment. It helps buyers to assess factors that could affect the need in hand and helps them to develop the plan accordingly. 'STEEPLE' is an acronym which stands for, Social, Technology, Economic, Environment, Political, Legal, Ethical
'SWOT' helps the organization to analyze its strength and within the organization and the oppor-tunity and threats outside the organization.
'SWOT' is an acronym which stands for, strength, weakness, opportunity and threats.
Explanation:
After a need in an organization has been identified/understood, defined, justified and authorized, the next stages are to understand how commodity prices are reacting, which suppliers are available and their strength.
The make or buy decision can be reached with knowledge from this; the procurement professional can consider the organization external environment, strength, weakness opportunity and threat to develop strategy
/plan of how to achieve the procurement.
'STEEPLE' is an effective way to evaluate the external environment. It helps buyers to assess factors that could affect the need in hand and helps them to develop the plan accordingly. 'STEEPLE' is an acronym which stands for, Social, Technology, Economic, Environment, Political, Legal, Ethical
'SWOT' helps the organization to analyze its strength and within the organization and the oppor-tunity and threats outside the organization.
'SWOT' is an acronym which stands for, strength, weakness, opportunity and threats.
Which four procurement cycle stages happen after the award of the contract?
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
The procurement cycle is the heart of purchasing, sourcing and supplying and should be followed in day-to- day practice in the industry. The procurement cycle has thirteen stages. Contract award is stage 9, and the stages after the contract award are; Stage 10: ware house, logistic and receipt Stage 11: Contract performance review and continuous improvement Stage 12: SRM/SCM and contract management Stage 13: Asset management, lessons learned, end of life.
Explanation:
The procurement cycle is the heart of purchasing, sourcing and supplying and should be followed in day-to- day practice in the industry. The procurement cycle has thirteen stages. Contract award is stage 9, and the stages after the contract award are; Stage 10: ware house, logistic and receipt Stage 11: Contract performance review and continuous improvement Stage 12: SRM/SCM and contract management Stage 13: Asset management, lessons learned, end of life.
Explain how a lack of understanding of a global supplier's culture and ethical behavior could cost buying organization money.
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
Organizational culture is made up of behaviors, traits, values and beliefs and these differ signifi-cantly across the globe. Gestures that may be positive in one country can be highly offensive in another. This culture could mean; for example, individualistic/collectivistic, masculine/feminine, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, Time perspective, indulgence/restraint.
When negotiating and forming contracts within the extended supply chain, it is important that the culture of the suppliers is understood to be compatible with the buying organization or else their might be loss of reputation, time, money material and equipment.
Also, being not aware of what is an acceptable ethically behavior in global sourcing can cost a buying organization. In some countries, bribery and kickbacks are a standard part of doing business. If procurement professional is not aware of the fact that some countries methods of doing business involves or expect kickbacks, for example, this could be costly to the organization and cancel out any savings that had originally been seen.
Cost of poor quality and rework: if the product or service quality is poor the organization may not satisfy it customers and this can lead to a loss of reputation in the market. For example, a residential building construction company contracting a supplier that supply would require home owners to reinstall a new door within three months. The organization would spend more funds in carrying out rework.
More administrative cost in contract management: an organization will have to manage it sup-pliers and the contracts to ensure they are delivering what they were contracted to do. A poor con-tract management is a waste in the process of delivery that can lead to loss of money. Also, to cor-rect this would cost the organizations administrative cost.
Explanation:
Organizational culture is made up of behaviors, traits, values and beliefs and these differ signifi-cantly across the globe. Gestures that may be positive in one country can be highly offensive in another. This culture could mean; for example, individualistic/collectivistic, masculine/feminine, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, Time perspective, indulgence/restraint.
When negotiating and forming contracts within the extended supply chain, it is important that the culture of the suppliers is understood to be compatible with the buying organization or else their might be loss of reputation, time, money material and equipment.
Also, being not aware of what is an acceptable ethically behavior in global sourcing can cost a buying organization. In some countries, bribery and kickbacks are a standard part of doing business. If procurement professional is not aware of the fact that some countries methods of doing business involves or expect kickbacks, for example, this could be costly to the organization and cancel out any savings that had originally been seen.
Cost of poor quality and rework: if the product or service quality is poor the organization may not satisfy it customers and this can lead to a loss of reputation in the market. For example, a residential building construction company contracting a supplier that supply would require home owners to reinstall a new door within three months. The organization would spend more funds in carrying out rework.
More administrative cost in contract management: an organization will have to manage it sup-pliers and the contracts to ensure they are delivering what they were contracted to do. A poor con-tract management is a waste in the process of delivery that can lead to loss of money. Also, to cor-rect this would cost the organizations administrative cost.
Describe three ways that hidden cost could present themselves within the logistics operation
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
Hidden costs are costs that do not always present themselves at the onset of the project.
Logistics can provide a hidden cost within global sourcing. The movement of goods can generate risk within a localized supply chain, but the risk is greater within global sourcing. Within global sourcing there are usually many more aspects to the logistics operation, hidden cost associated with the logistics process includes,;1) delays that can be experienced after placing orders, 2) unclear and poor/incorrect communication that might affect the successes of the transaction, also 3) goods could be confiscated by customs for unseen reasons.
Explanation:
Hidden costs are costs that do not always present themselves at the onset of the project.
Logistics can provide a hidden cost within global sourcing. The movement of goods can generate risk within a localized supply chain, but the risk is greater within global sourcing. Within global sourcing there are usually many more aspects to the logistics operation, hidden cost associated with the logistics process includes,;1) delays that can be experienced after placing orders, 2) unclear and poor/incorrect communication that might affect the successes of the transaction, also 3) goods could be confiscated by customs for unseen reasons.
Research the ethical standard or accreditations of an industry with which you are familiar
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
If a supplier is accredited or is a member of an association that promotes good ethical conduct, a statement to this effect is likely to be featured on its company documentation. This could be in a form of letters after the organization name or the authorized use of logo.
Accreditation information should be verified by procurement professionals either asking organiza-tion for certification to prove membership or accreditation or checking on a professional register.
Below are associated bodies that form some industries.
1. ISO 14001 - for quality management
2. CIPS - for procurement and Supply
3. Red Tractor - NGO Registered in the UK, promoting human right
4. Amnesty International - human right
5. Carbon Trust - For Carbon neutral status.
Explanation:
If a supplier is accredited or is a member of an association that promotes good ethical conduct, a statement to this effect is likely to be featured on its company documentation. This could be in a form of letters after the organization name or the authorized use of logo.
Accreditation information should be verified by procurement professionals either asking organiza-tion for certification to prove membership or accreditation or checking on a professional register.
Below are associated bodies that form some industries.
1. ISO 14001 - for quality management
2. CIPS - for procurement and Supply
3. Red Tractor - NGO Registered in the UK, promoting human right
4. Amnesty International - human right
5. Carbon Trust - For Carbon neutral status.
What does the acronym SMART stand for?
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
When the procurement professional is setting key performance indicator (KPI) where which the supplier performance will be monitored and managed. The KPI is expected to be SMART. SMART is an acronym that is used to set KPI and specification.
S - specific ,
M - measurable,
A - achievable,
R - relevant, and
T - timebound.
Explanation:
When the procurement professional is setting key performance indicator (KPI) where which the supplier performance will be monitored and managed. The KPI is expected to be SMART. SMART is an acronym that is used to set KPI and specification.
S - specific ,
M - measurable,
A - achievable,
R - relevant, and
T - timebound.
Write all of factors that contribute towards value for a product that you regularly purchase.
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
Factors that contribute towards value for clothe gum in a fashion firm;
1) How much money does the gum cost?
2) How much is the benefits of using the clothe gum?
3) Does customers prefer clothe gum at the bottom of their garment?
4) Is the clothe gum difficult to use?
5) Does the clothe gum beautifies the fabric when placed properly?
6) Does it give a better finishing?
7) Is it ethical to use?
8) Is it from a sustainable source?
9) is it environmental friendly?
10) Does using clothe gum suggest innovation in fashion?
Refer to the question column for response
Explanation:
Factors that contribute towards value for clothe gum in a fashion firm;
1) How much money does the gum cost?
2) How much is the benefits of using the clothe gum?
3) Does customers prefer clothe gum at the bottom of their garment?
4) Is the clothe gum difficult to use?
5) Does the clothe gum beautifies the fabric when placed properly?
6) Does it give a better finishing?
7) Is it ethical to use?
8) Is it from a sustainable source?
9) is it environmental friendly?
10) Does using clothe gum suggest innovation in fashion?
Refer to the question column for response
Which products or services should not be considered for outsourcing, according to Carter's out-sourcing matrix
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
Carters outsource matrix is a useful tool that procurement professionals uses to decide which products or services has a high or low contribution to the organization operation performance and its strategic importance.
The matrix segments products/services into four quadrants. These are Eliminate, outsource, strategic alliance and retain.
According to Carters outsource matrix, all product/services that has a high strategic importance should not be outsourced. They should rather be retained in house or carefully chose suitable sup-pliers and go into strategic alliance.
Explanation:
Carters outsource matrix is a useful tool that procurement professionals uses to decide which products or services has a high or low contribution to the organization operation performance and its strategic importance.
The matrix segments products/services into four quadrants. These are Eliminate, outsource, strategic alliance and retain.
According to Carters outsource matrix, all product/services that has a high strategic importance should not be outsourced. They should rather be retained in house or carefully chose suitable sup-pliers and go into strategic alliance.
What is the method of monitoring suppliers?
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
When a contract has been awarded, either is to meet tangible needs or intangible needs, contractors or suppliers should be managed to ensure that they are meeting up with fulfilling their contractual agreement. To establish this, there are methods of managing contracts and suppliers.
Service level agreement (SLA) clauses: is placed in contract to ensures that supplier meets the expected and agreed level of service Key performance indicator (KPI): are used to manage contracts that fulfill tangible needs, the KPIs are set performance thresholds that are used to monitor supplier's performance.
Management by objectives (MBO): is the process of defining objective that are strategic to the organization relating them to the vision and mission and communicating them to the supplier through the contract and ensuring that this objective is met during contract performance.
Reviews: Regular supplier reviews are good practices, for it gives the buyer opportunity to give feedback on performance.
Continuous Improvement: Contracts and suppliers can be monitored through how they are chang-ing for better incrementally as they are fulfilling the schedule. There must be a set down system to timely improve on the process, people and continuously reduce waste.
Training: It is essential that training, are provided to come up on areas supplier is lacking.
Explanation:
When a contract has been awarded, either is to meet tangible needs or intangible needs, contractors or suppliers should be managed to ensure that they are meeting up with fulfilling their contractual agreement. To establish this, there are methods of managing contracts and suppliers.
Service level agreement (SLA) clauses: is placed in contract to ensures that supplier meets the expected and agreed level of service Key performance indicator (KPI): are used to manage contracts that fulfill tangible needs, the KPIs are set performance thresholds that are used to monitor supplier's performance.
Management by objectives (MBO): is the process of defining objective that are strategic to the organization relating them to the vision and mission and communicating them to the supplier through the contract and ensuring that this objective is met during contract performance.
Reviews: Regular supplier reviews are good practices, for it gives the buyer opportunity to give feedback on performance.
Continuous Improvement: Contracts and suppliers can be monitored through how they are chang-ing for better incrementally as they are fulfilling the schedule. There must be a set down system to timely improve on the process, people and continuously reduce waste.
Training: It is essential that training, are provided to come up on areas supplier is lacking.