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| Section | Weight | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Topic 1: Understand and analyse added value from procurement and supply chain management | 25% | - Stakeholder management and mapping
|
| Topic 2: Understand compliance requirements across sectors | 25% | - Impact of sector rules on procurement activities - Regulatory, legal and ethical compliance
|
| Topic 3: Understand organisational infrastructure shaping procurement scope | 25% | - Structures: centralised, decentralised and hybrid models
- Governance, policies, procedures and strategy
|
| Topic 4: Understand and analyse key steps in procuring goods or services | 25% | - Application of technology and systems
|
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NEW QUESTION # 47
Explain what is meant by added value (5 points). Describe 4 ways the Procurement Department can add value for their organisation (20 points)
Answer:
Explanation:
See the solution inExplanation partbelow.
Explanation:
What to include in the essay:
- Definition of added value: the economic enhancement given to products or services before offering them to customers. Examples may include a product which has additional features at no additional cost to the customer or the provision of an extended warrantee.
- Description of four of the following with examples andExplanation:s: providing better customer service levels, risk management, cost control and reduction, relationship management, reputation management, innovation, use of technology, streamlining processes, improving specifications, increasing sustainability, improving quality, ordering processes such as bulk ordering, inventory management, improving the product from the customer's perspective (e.g. packaging, exclusivity), sustainability, convenience, market development.
Example essay:
Added value in procurement refers to the enhancement or improvement in the economic worth, quality, or utility of products or services before they are offered to customers or end-users. In the context of procurement, the goal is to go beyond simply obtaining goods or services at the lowest cost. Instead, procurement aims to contribute additional value to the organization through various means. This essay explores the concept of added value and outlines four ways the Procurement Department can contribute to organizational improvement.
Improving Specifications
Procurement can add value firstly by ensuring all critical items are procured against a specification, and secondly by improving and regularly updating those specifications. For example, the procurement department might be responsible for procuring light-bulbs for an office. Having an effective specification for this purchase (lightbulbs must meet X safety standard and Y environmental standard) would result in less maverick buying for the organisation and the procurement of a better-quality product. Furthermore, regularly updating specifications ensures that purchases are made against current safety standards and regulations (e.g. the use of low-energy lightbulbs). If procurement don't update specifications, then there is a risk that items are bought that don't meet the correct standards.
Added value in this regard could also therefore be considered the removal of risks of procuring the wrong item.
Stream-lining Processes
Procurement can add value by stream-lining processes such as requisitions and POs. This reduces the time it takes to procure an item, thus saving the company money. Another process that could be streamlined is the re-ordering process of regularly bought items. This could be automated when the stock levels reach a certain level. For example if an organisation requires its staff to wear PPE, an automatic request could be made once there are only 50 face masks left.
Managing Supplier Relationships
Having strong, positive relationships with suppliers is a source of added value as it means suppliers value you as a buyer and are therefore more likely to help in situations which are adversely affecting business. For example, if a manufacturer puts an order in for 300 items with their supplier but then realises that they have made an error in the amount, if there is a strong relationship, the supplier may allow the buyer to amend the order after the fact. If there is a poor relationship, the supplier may not be as flexible. The flexibility in the supply chain is therefore a source of added value.
Improving Quality / Innovation
This involves adding value from the customer's perspective. E.g. a customer may choose to purchase a phone that has a longer battery life than others. Procurement's role in this may be in completing a Value Engineering exercise or procuring higher quality components or materials at the same price in order to achieve this additional feature.
In conclusion, the Procurement Department plays a crucial role in organizational success by adding value through improved specifications, streamlined processes, strong supplier relationships, and a focus on quality and innovation. These strategies contribute to enhanced efficiency, reduced risks, and increased customer satisfaction, making procurement an essential function for organizational excellence.
Tutor Notes
- The question asks specifically to name 4 ways of adding value. You therefore won't get any additional points if you talk about 5 or 6, even though it may be tempting. Instead, focus your response on providing more information on the 4 you have chosen and bulking out your answer with examples. This demonstrates to the examiner that you fully understand the topic AND that you can apply the theory to real situations.
- You could use real-life examples from your own organisation/ experience or you could give a hypothetical situation such as a cake manufacturer. You could talk through how the procurement department at the cake manufacturer can add value by doing the four things in your essay: by amending the specification so the cakes are more tasty, by streamlining the process for ordering flour, by managing the relationship with the company that fixes the machines when they break down, and by introducing innovation such as using an e-procurement system to source raw materials and the benefits that these will bring to the organisation.
- Added value is part of the syllabus for Learning Outcome 1.2 starting from p.19 but I'm gonna be honest, I think the new study guide is a bit crap on this part of the syllabus. The section starts talking about the 5 rights of procurement and I think that makes things very confusing for students. The 5 rights and added value are linked subjects, but they're not the same. Getting the rights right, CAN lead to sources of added value, but added value is value that is IN ADDITION to what is expected. So, when you have a question on added value, focus on stuff that's listed under 1.1.4 'other sources of added value' on p.35 rather than talking about the 5 rights of procurement. My list at the top is more exhaustive than the one in the study guide.
- If you're looking to be really clever you can quote Michael Porter on 'what is added value?'. Michael Porter looks at this from a customer perspective - 'added value' refers to the addition of greater value (either by reducing the cost to produce it, or by adding something that customers are willing to pay more for). These could be; marketing / design, customer service, maintenance, delivery etc. This comes up at Level 5 / 6.
NEW QUESTION # 48
Describe the key drivers for organisations who operate in the public, private and third sector (25 marks)
Answer:
Explanation:
See the solution in Explanation part below.
Explanation:
- There's 2 main approaches to layout you could take for this question. Firstly, divide your essay into three sections for the public, private and third sectors and talk about the key drivers for each sector separately.
Alternatively, you could select a couple of drivers and form paragraphs around them, explaining in each paragraph whether the driver is strong or weak or even applicable for the different sectors.
- Drivers you could talk about include attitudes towards money, survival in the industry, differentiation, need for transparency, resources available, stakeholders, regulatory compliance
- Your answer should say why these are drivers in each of the industries, whether these drivers are strong or weak and why.
Example essay:
Organizations across the public, private, and third sectors operate within different paradigms, driven by distinct motivations and constraints. Understanding these key drivers is essential for comprehending how these organizations function and achieve their objectives. This essay explores the fundamental drivers of organizations in each of these sectors, focusing on attitudes towards money, survival, differentiation, need for transparency, resource allocation, and stakeholder management.
Attitudes Towards Money:
The approach to profit significantly differentiates the sectors. In the private sector, profit is a primary driver, essential for survival and rewarding shareholders. Conversely, the public sector is not profit-driven; its primary aim is to provide essential services to society, regardless of financial gain. The third sector, often termed 'not-for-profit', also requires profit generation, but uniquely, all profits are reinvested into the organization to further its aims, rather than being distributed as shareholder dividends. The Public-Sector needs to 'balance the books' but it is not a profit-generating area of the economy. The priority around money is ensuring that taxpayer money is well spend and that procurement activities represent value for money.
Survival in the Industry:
Survival strategies vary across sectors. Private and third sector organizations must focus keenly on survival, necessitating efficiency and sound business processes. The public sector, by contrast, can continue operating even when inefficient or running at a deficit, as seen in cases like local councils operating with budget shortfalls. This difference underscores a greater urgency for efficient management in the private and third sectors.
Differentiation:
Differentiation is a key driver in the private sector due to competition. Private entities often strive to distinguish their goods or services to gain a competitive edge, either through cost competitiveness or unique offerings. However, differentiation is less of a driver in the public and third sectors, where organizations are often sole providers of certain services or focus on specific social causes without direct competition.
Need for Transparency and Regulatory Compliance:
Transparency and adherence to regulations are paramount in the public and third (not-for-profit) sectors.
These sectors are highly regulated, with public organizations adhering to regulations like the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and third sector organizations following guidelines set by bodies like the Charities Commission. The public's right to information through mechanisms like Freedom of Information requests further underscores this need for transparency. In contrast, the private sector faces less pressure for transparency, though it is not entirely exempt from regulatory compliance.
Resource Availability:
The availability and management of resources are different across sectors. Public and third sector organizations often operate with limited funds, making value for money a critical driver. They must achieve their objectives within these financial constraints. In contrast, the private sector generally has greater flexibility in resource acquisition, able to raise funds through loans or share sales, providing them with a broader scope for investment and expansion.
Stakeholder Management:
Stakeholder dynamics vary significantly among sectors. Public and third sector organizations often have a wide range of stakeholders, though these stakeholders may not wield significant power. Conversely, stakeholders in private organizations, like employees, can exert considerable influence, as seen in cases where employees might strike for better working conditions. Therefore, managing and satisfying stakeholders can be a more pressing concern in the private sector compared to the public sector, where actions like strikes can be legally restricted.
Conclusion:
In summary, organizations in the public, private, and third sectors are driven by different motivations and constraints. While profit is a major driver in the private and third sectors, it serves different purposes in each.
Survival strategies, the need for differentiation, transparency requirements, resource management, and stakeholder relations all vary significantly across these sectors, reflecting the distinct roles and responsibilities they hold in society. Understanding these key drivers is crucial for anyone looking to navigate or interact with these diverse organizational landscapes effectively.
Tutor Notes:
- If you're asked about different sectors of the economy it can be difficult to know what to talk about. An easy way to remember topics you can discuss in your essay is the acronym CAROLS which stands for:
Competition, Activity, Responsibilities, Objectives, Legal Restrictions and Stakeholders. This acronym may generate some ideas of things you can discuss in your essay.
- This question takes some content from different Learning Outcomes throughout L4. Charities are discussed separately from Public and Private Sectors in LO 4.4 p.230.
NEW QUESTION # 49
Bob is a procurement manager at ABC Ltd. He has been asked to ensure all future purchases achieve
'value for money' for the organisation. What is meant by 'value for money'? (5 points). Describe 4 techniques that Bob could use to achieve this (20 points)
Answer:
Explanation:
See the solution inExplanation partbelow.
Explanation:
1) A definition of Value for Money: ensuring a purchase is cost effective. This may be that the purchase achieves the 5 Rights of Procurement or that the purchase achieves the 4Es: Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness and Equity. - this is only worth 5 points, so don't spend too long on this
2) 4 techniques Bob can use to achieve VFM: this is the bulk of your essay. Each of the 4 will be worth 5 points, so remember to give a thoroughExplanation:and example. Pick 4 from the list below: complete a value analysis to eliminate non-essential features, minimise variety/ consolidate demand, avoid over specification, pro-active sourcing, whole life costing methodologies, eliminate / reduce inventory, use electronic systems, international sourcing, sustainability / environmental policies, currency/ exchange rate considerations, negotiating good payment terms, packaging, warrantees.
Example Essay:
"Value for money" (VFM) is a concept that refers to obtaining the best possible return on investment or benefits relative to the cost incurred. It involves assessing whether the goods, services, or activities provided offer an optimal balance between their cost and the quality, benefits, or outcomes they deliver.
Value for money is not solely about choosing the cheapest option; instead, it considers the overall efficiency, effectiveness, and long-term value derived from an expenditure. For Bob, the Procurement Manager at ABC Ltd there are four key ways that he can achieve this for all future purchases.
Value Engineering
This is looking at the components of a product and evaluating the value of each component individually.
You can then eliminate any components that do not add value to the end product. To do this Bob would choose a product to review and determine whether any parts of this can be omitted (thus saving the company money) or could be replaced by components that are of a higher quality at the same price (thus providing added value to the customer). For example, Bob could complete a Value Engineering exercise on the new mobile phone prototype ABC plan to release next year. His findings may discover a way to provide a higher quality camera at no additional cost or that some components don't add value and can be eliminated.
Consolidate demand
Bob can achieve value for money by consolidating demand at ABC ltd. This would mean rather than each individual person/ department ordering what they want when they need it, Bob creates a centralised process for ordering items in bulk for the departments to share. For example, if each department require stationary to be ordered, Bob can consolidate this demand and create one big order each quarter. This will likely result in cost savings for ABC as suppliers often offer discounts for large orders. Moreover, consolidating demand will allow for saving in time (one person does the task once, rather than lots of people doing the same task and duplicating work).
International sourcing
Bob may find there is value for money in changing suppliers and looking at international sourcing.
Often other countries outside of the UK can offer the same products at a lower cost. An example of this is manufactured goods from China. By looking at international supply chains, Bob may be able to make cost-savings for ABC. He should be sure that when using this technique there is no compromise on quality.
Whole Life Costing methodology
This is a technique Bob can use for procuring capital expenditure items for ABC. This involves looking at the costs of the item throughout its lifecycle and not just the initial purchase price. For example, if Bob needs to buy a new delivery truck he should consider not only the price of the truck, but also the costs of insurance for the truck, how expensive it is to buy replacement parts such as tyres and the cost of disposing of the truck once it reaches the end of its life. By considering these factors Bob will ensure that he buys the truck that represents the best value for money long term.
In conclusion Bob should ensure he uses these four techniques for all items he and his team procures in the future. This will ensure ABC Ltd are always achieving value for money, and thus remain competitive in the marketplace.
Tutor Notes
- This case study is really short, and the ones you'll receive in the exam are often longer and give you more guidance on what they're expecting you to write. With case study questions, you have to make your entire answer about Bob. So don't bring in examples from your own experience, rather, focus on giving examples for Bob.
- A good rule of thumb for case study questions is make sure you reference the case study once per paragraph.
- Value for Money is a really broad topic and you can pretty much argue anything that procurement does is helping to achieve value for money. There's a large table of stuff that's considered VFM on p.38 but that table isn't exhaustive. So feel free to come up with your own ideas for this type of essay.
Some additional tidbits of information on VFM:
- The 'academic' definition of Value for Money is 'the optimum combination of whole life cost and the quality necessary to meet the customer's requirement'
- Value for Money is an important strategic objective for most organisations but particularly in the public sector. This is because the public sector is financed by public money (taxes), so they must demonstrate that the organisation is using this money wisely. This might be an interesting fact to put into an essay on VFM.
- Value can often be hard to quantify, particularly in the service industry. E.g. in customer service it can be difficult to quantify the value of having knowledgeable and polite employees delivering the service.
NEW QUESTION # 50
Describe the main stages of the CIPS Procurement and Supply Cycle (25 points)
Answer:
Explanation:
See the solution in Explanation part below
Explanation:
How to respond to this question:
- Include as many of the stages as you can, but it's not vital to remember them all. You should aim to remember at least 8 of the 13 steps.
- The steps are; Define Business Need, Market Analysis + Make vs Buy, Develop Strategy and Plan, Pre-Procurement Market Testing, Develop Documents and Specification, Supplier Selection, Issue Tender, Bid Evaluation, Contract Award and Implementation, Warehouse Logistics, Contract performance and Improvement, Supplier Relationship Management and Asset Management Essay Plan:
Introduction - Explain what the CIPS Procurement and Supply Cycle is- a tool to be used by procurement professionals which tracks a procurement exercise from inception to close. It's helpful as it ensures procurement exercises are done correctly and steps are completed in the right order.
- Describe (briefly) what happens at each stage of the cycle, giving examples. You should put each stage into a separate paragraph. It's also a good idea to name the stages in chronological order. Some ideas of things you could mention include:
1) Define Business Need and Develop Specification - Identify what the need is, what type of purchase, put together a business case and outline the requirements
2) Market Analysis and Make vs Buy Decision - analyse the market using market segmentation (e.g. by buyer, product, geography etc) or use Porter's 5 Forces (buyer and supplier power, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutions, supplier rivalry). Looks at if what you want to procure is actually available.
3) Develop Strategy / Plan - you could use a STEEPLE and SWOT analysis. Consider if this is the right time to procure. Create timelines and budgets.
4) Pre-Procurement Market Testing - consider stakeholder engagement, supplier engagement, new / upcoming legislation, currency fluctuations, market, competitor actions. Is this the best time to procure? Will it be successful?
5) Develop Documentation / Creation of Contract terms- firm up the requirements and create the formal documents for the tender exercise. This may be a RFQ or ITT. Define the offer. Include KPIs.
6) Supplier Selection - May not be required for rebuys but an important step for new buys. May use a list of pre-approved suppliers or this may be going out to the open market. You can shortlist suppliers by sending out a pre-qualification questionnaire.
7) Issue Tender - Electronically, consider whether to use an open vs closed procurement exercise
8) Bid / Tender Evaluation - Very flexible for companies in the private sector but there are guiding principles for doing this for public procurement; transparency, equal treatment, proportionality. Often considers both price and quality.
9) Contract Award and Implementation- Organisations may have different processes for different values (e.g. large purchases may need senior management approval, but under £500 just needs a manager's signature). May require post-award negotiation. Contract is drafted and signed.
10) Warehouse Logistics and receipt - includes POs and Invoices. Battle of the Forms. Goods Inwards = receiving and inspecting goods- may use quality control.
11) Contract performance review - ensuring contract obligations are fulfilled includes P2P procedures, database management, budgeting / costs monitoring, reporting and dispute resolution.
12) Supplier Management - will depend on the relationship but includes; contact / meetings with the supplier, motivating / incentivising the supplier, working with them on performance issues, ensuring KPIs are met.
13) Asset Management / End of Life- considers TCO, ongoing maintenance and costs, insurance and warrantees and disposal of the item once it has reached the end of its life.
Conclusion - The CIPS Procurement Cycle is cycle rather than process as it is a continuous loop and needs constantly emerge. It never ends. New buys are more likely to follow all the stages of the cycle, rebuys may skip steps Tutor Notes:
- Often steps 11 and 12 are confused or merged together but they are different. It's possible to have great contract management and a poor supplier relationship i.e. the contract is working effectively and the supplier is delivering in line with the contract BUT the relationship may be fraught with tension and the buyer and supplier don't like each other.
- To get a high score I would include examples of all of the stages, but remember you only have 45 minutes to answer the question, so balance detail with timing so you don't overwrite
- The procurement cycle is on p. 70 or you can download it here: Procurement Supply Cycle | CIPS
NEW QUESTION # 51
What is 'supply chain management'? Outline the drivers, advantages and disadvantages of using this approach within the Procurement Department of an organisation (25 points)
Answer:
Explanation:
See the solution in Explanation part below
Explanation:
How to approach the question
- There are 4 main components to this question that you will have to answer, so my advice is to first write down subheadings for your essay so you don't miss any out: definition of supply chain management, drivers, advantages and disadvantages
- The question also brings up 2 concepts - supply chain management and tiered supply chains, it would be good to include a definition of both of these.
- Because of the number of things you'll have to write, you don't need to go into lots of detail - one paragraph per section will be enough.
Proposed Essay Structure
Intro - what is supply chain management and what is a tiered supply chain P1 - drivers P2 - advantages P3 - disadvantages Conclusion - supply chains are complex due to globalisation Essay Ideas:
- Definition of supply chain management = Making something available in response to a buyer's requirements. The transformation of goods from raw material into an end product (input > conversion > output)
- Drivers = Cost, Time/ Speed, Reliability, Responsiveness, Transparency, Globalisation
- Advantages = reduced costs by elimination of waste, improved responsiveness to customer requirements, joint-ventures with supply partners leading to innovations, tech sharing, improved communication leads to faster lead times for product development
- Disadvantages = needs considerable investment and internal support, closer relationships may be risky (IP, loss of control), issues in fairly distributing gains and risks (you don't need to talk about all of these- pick 1 or 2 you feel you know the best and focus on that) Example Essay Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the arrangement of processes involved in the production and distribution of goods / services - from the origin to the end consumer. In simple terms, it's taking a raw product and transforming it into an end product that a consumer would purchase. For example taking a potato from a farmer, giving it to a manufacturer to make into chips and sending these to retailers to be sold. SCM relies on close relationships between the parties in the supply chain and adds value to the product at every stage. A Tiered Supply Chain is a specific configuration within SCM that involves multiple levels of suppliers and sub-suppliers. A buyer will work with a small amount of Tier 1 suppliers who will in turn work with their own suppliers. In a tiered system there can be many, many layers of suppliers who all ultimately work towards creating the same product. This essay aims to delve into the drivers, advantages, and disadvantages associated with implementing a complex supply chain, such as the Tiered Supply Chain model.
The main drivers of using a tiered supply chain are often rooted in the pursuit of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. By consolidating suppliers into distinct tiers, organizations can streamline their management processes, reduce complexity, and enhance overall supply chain performance. Additionally, tiered supply chains are often employed in response to the global nature of modern business, accommodating the need to source materials and components from various regions while maintaining a manageable and responsive supply network.
One of the advantages of a Tiered Supply Chain is the streamlined management of suppliers. In this model, there are fewer direct suppliers to oversee, simplifying the coordination and communication processes. This can lead to increased efficiency and responsiveness as organizations deal with a smaller, more manageable pool of suppliers. The consolidation of suppliers in a tiered system may also result in potential cost savings and improved collaboration with a select group of trusted partners.
However, the complexity of a Tiered Supply Chain brings disadvantages. One significant drawback is reduced visibility. As the supply chain extends across multiple tiers, organizations may struggle to have a comprehensive view of the entire process. This lack of visibility can lead to challenges in tracking and responding to potential disruptions. Moreover, ethical risks emerge when companies have limited oversight over lower-tier suppliers, potentially exposing organizations to issues such as labour exploitation, environmental concerns, or violations of ethical standards.
In conclusion, supply chain management has evolved into a complex discipline due to the forces of globalization and consumer demands for speed and quality. The Tiered Supply Chain model, driven by these factors, presents both advantages and disadvantages. While managing fewer suppliers can enhance efficiency, the trade-off includes diminished visibility and increased ethical risks. Organizations must carefully evaluate the specific needs of their operations and weigh the benefits against the challenges when deciding whether to adopt a Tiered Supply Chain. In this intricate landscape, the ability to balance complexity and efficiency becomes paramount for sustained success in the global marketplace.
Tutor Notes
- Definition of supply chain management is from p.5
- Drivers, advantages and disadvantages p.9
- This topic used to be much more in depth in the old syllabus and has been drastically simplified in the new study guide. The guide is actually quite light on this topic stating simply that "globalisation and localisation are both drivers of using supply chain tiering". If you don't work in manufacturing, or an industry that uses supply chain tiering, this concept may be a bit alien to you and I'd recommend doing a little extra research. The best example of supply chain tiering is in car manufacturing- and that would be a good example to use in an essay. Some additional links for research:
- Supplier Tiers: What's The Difference Between Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 | PLANERGY Software
- Sustainable Sourcing - Definition, Examples, Benefits & Best Practices (brightest.io)
- https://youtu.be/fs1rDgBQy1M
NEW QUESTION # 52
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