CIPS Procurement and Supply in Practice - L4M8 Exam Practice Test
Question 1
Explain three strategic decisions that could be made or enhanced by using the STEEPLE or SWOT analysis
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
By using STEEPLE and SWOT analysis, the organization can reach out to the following strategic decision in how it will engage with its external environment, and utilize it strength to cover up for its weakness and achieve its strategic goals;
1) STEEPLE can aid an organization to come up with informed decision by understanding when is the right time to procure goods or services?
2) STEEPLE and SWOT analysis can uncover the quantity that could be most economical to ac-quire at the point in time.
3) When an organization want to decide on the currency that could be most favorable for the buy, it will analyze the countries involved and the strength of their currency and make its decisions on which currency that the supplier should be paid that will not make the organization to lose unnecessary money to exchange.
4) Should the product or services be made or bought?
5) Should the product or services be resourced?
6) Should the product or services be placed?
Explanation:
By using STEEPLE and SWOT analysis, the organization can reach out to the following strategic decision in how it will engage with its external environment, and utilize it strength to cover up for its weakness and achieve its strategic goals;
1) STEEPLE can aid an organization to come up with informed decision by understanding when is the right time to procure goods or services?
2) STEEPLE and SWOT analysis can uncover the quantity that could be most economical to ac-quire at the point in time.
3) When an organization want to decide on the currency that could be most favorable for the buy, it will analyze the countries involved and the strength of their currency and make its decisions on which currency that the supplier should be paid that will not make the organization to lose unnecessary money to exchange.
4) Should the product or services be made or bought?
5) Should the product or services be resourced?
6) Should the product or services be placed?
Question 2
What is commissioning?
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
Commissioning is bringing something new into working condition, e.g start running a gas plant after building it. Commissioning is one of the eight elements that form the cycle of whole life asset management. The commissioning of an asset has the following associated costs, installation, training insurance, testing, operational efficiencies/performance and quality.
Explanation:
Commissioning is bringing something new into working condition, e.g start running a gas plant after building it. Commissioning is one of the eight elements that form the cycle of whole life asset management. The commissioning of an asset has the following associated costs, installation, training insurance, testing, operational efficiencies/performance and quality.
Question 3
What matrix helps to define how to manage stakeholders?
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
Stakeholders are individuals or organizations who are directly affected by a decision for example, community, shareholders, employees, suppliers, distributors, customers etc. stakeholders can be internal (employers, staffs), connected (such as suppliers, shareholders, financers and customers) external (Government, pressure groups, and community).
The matrix that helps define how to manage stakeholders is mendelow's stakeholders manage-ment matrix.
This matrix is based on the theory that the level of management stakeholders require depends on the level of their power and interest within the project or organization The matrix groups stakeholders in to four quadrants according to their power and interest and ad-vice how to manage them.
1) Low power - Low interest (minimum effort)
2) Low power - High interest (keep inform)
3) High power - Low interest (keep satisfied)
4) High power - high interest (manage closely)
* Refer to the question column for response
Explanation:
Stakeholders are individuals or organizations who are directly affected by a decision for example, community, shareholders, employees, suppliers, distributors, customers etc. stakeholders can be internal (employers, staffs), connected (such as suppliers, shareholders, financers and customers) external (Government, pressure groups, and community).
The matrix that helps define how to manage stakeholders is mendelow's stakeholders manage-ment matrix.
This matrix is based on the theory that the level of management stakeholders require depends on the level of their power and interest within the project or organization The matrix groups stakeholders in to four quadrants according to their power and interest and ad-vice how to manage them.
1) Low power - Low interest (minimum effort)
2) Low power - High interest (keep inform)
3) High power - Low interest (keep satisfied)
4) High power - high interest (manage closely)
* Refer to the question column for response
Question 4
KPI should be written to match which area of an organization?
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
Key performance indicator (KPI) is another method of monitoring how a supplier is delivering on a contract.
When creating KPIs to manage suppliers and their contracts the areas monitored should be related to the organization's overall strategy that is where organization's success will be measured.
Explanation:
Key performance indicator (KPI) is another method of monitoring how a supplier is delivering on a contract.
When creating KPIs to manage suppliers and their contracts the areas monitored should be related to the organization's overall strategy that is where organization's success will be measured.
Question 5
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.
* Refer to the question column for response
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.
* Refer to the question column for response
Question 6
Explain why the behavior of an organization with which you are familiar could affect its business.
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
The social impact of an organization is formed by various behaviors. If an organization; behavior is poor this will create social impact which is likely to be reflected in the business performance. Organizations which display poor behavior face outcomes such as the following.
1. Reduce brand loyalty
2. Difficulty in recruiting
3. Negative media coverage
4. Reduced sales/profit
5. reputation damage
Explanation:
The social impact of an organization is formed by various behaviors. If an organization; behavior is poor this will create social impact which is likely to be reflected in the business performance. Organizations which display poor behavior face outcomes such as the following.
1. Reduce brand loyalty
2. Difficulty in recruiting
3. Negative media coverage
4. Reduced sales/profit
5. reputation damage
Question 7
What potential costs could an organization face if it fails to conduct Due diligence effectively?
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
Though strong due diligence procurement professionals can assess which suppliers or potential suppliers appear to meet the criteria associated with ethical practice.
Prior to the contract being awarded, strong due diligence can save the organization from the following cost:
1) Cost of reputation
2) Environmental damage
3) Stakeholders dissatisfaction,
4) poor quality and rework
5) Breach of contract
6) Ethical concerns
Explanation:
Though strong due diligence procurement professionals can assess which suppliers or potential suppliers appear to meet the criteria associated with ethical practice.
Prior to the contract being awarded, strong due diligence can save the organization from the following cost:
1) Cost of reputation
2) Environmental damage
3) Stakeholders dissatisfaction,
4) poor quality and rework
5) Breach of contract
6) Ethical concerns
Question 8
What advantages could there be to holding excessive inventory?
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation.
Explanation:
Holding excessive inventory can reduce the impact of extended lead time. i.e. by saving the buying organization from downtime, reputation loss, and also it can generate revenue for the organization if there is a sudden increase in demand.
Explanation:
Holding excessive inventory can reduce the impact of extended lead time. i.e. by saving the buying organization from downtime, reputation loss, and also it can generate revenue for the organization if there is a sudden increase in demand.
