Note: C.P.M. candidates take all four modules of the exam
Note: Modules 1 and 2 of the C.P.M. exam may be substituted for modules 1 and 2 of the new A.P.P. exam and vice versa
MODULE 1: PURCHASING PROCESS (95 questions)
|
| Section |
Task |
Description |
|
A. Identifying Requirements (23 questions) |
101 |
Establish procurement plans and make decisions necessary to purchase products or services in congruence with organizational objectives and sourcing strategies. (6 questions) |
|
102 |
Review purchase requisitions in accordance with organizational requirements and/or budgetary constraints. (3 questions) |
|
103 |
Determine appropriate methods of procurement.(6 questions) |
|
104 |
Perform cost/benefit analyses on planned acquisitions. (5 questions) |
|
105 |
Review supplier samples and/or demonstrations with the buying organization management and/or user departments.(3 questions) |
|
|
|
| B. Preparation of Solicitations (22 questions) |
106 |
Develop/review specifications, statements of work, performance terms, and/or acceptance criteria. (7 questions) |
| |
107 |
Locate and select potential sources of materials or services. (6 questions) |
|
108 |
Prepare and solicit competitive bids, quotations, and proposals with pertinent specifications, terms, and conditions. (6 questions) |
|
109 |
Manage and develop lists of recommended sources.(3 questions) |
|
|
|
C. Supplier Analysis
(19 questions) |
110 |
Evaluate competitive offerings to determine the overall best offer for a product/service.(8 questions) |
|
111 |
Conduct supplier visits/evaluations to determine suitability. (6 questions) |
|
112 |
Measure supplier performance using rating systems and/or predetermined standards.(5 questions) |
|
|
|
D. Contract Execution,
Implementation, |
113 |
Prepare and/or issue contracts/purchase orders.(4 questions) |
and
Administration |
114 |
Obtain legal review and approval of a contract when required. (5 questions) |
| (26 questions) |
115 |
Administer contracts/purchase orders from award to completion. (3 questions) |
|
116 |
Expedite deliveries and conduct follow-up procedures when necessary.(2 questions) |
|
117 |
Resolve contract/purchase order differences with suppliers. (4 questions) |
|
118 |
Resolve payment problems with suppliers and user departments.(2 questions) |
|
119 |
Review and revise purchasing practices to ensure their conformance with established laws, policies, and ethical principles.(4 questions) |
|
120 |
Manage files of agreements, equipment records, and/or specifications.(2 questions) |
|
MODULE 2: SUPPLY ENVIRONMENT (95 questions)
|
| Section |
Task |
Description |
| A. Negotiations (13 questions) |
201 |
Prepare for and develop strategies and tactics for negotiations. (7 questions) |
| |
202 |
Conduct negotiations with potential and/or current suppliers to obtain maximum value. (6 questions) |
|
|
|
B. Information Technology
(16 questions) |
203 |
Develop/utilize a computerized purchasing system (e.g., online buying, EDI, Web-based electronic commerce).(6 questions) |
| |
204 |
Develop/implement/maintain a database of specifications, suppliers, products, and/or services.(5 questions) |
|
205 |
Develop/utilize a computerized inventory and/or capital equipment tracking system.(5 questions) |
|
|
|
C. Quality Issues
(12 questions) |
206 |
Resolve quality problems with suppliers and user departments.(6 questions) |
| |
207 |
Develop measurements for quality improvement and target setting (e.g., "best in class" benchmarks). (6 questions) |
|
|
|
D. Internal Relationships
(22 questions) |
208 |
Develop/manage/evaluate relationships with other internal departments.(6 questions) |
| |
209 |
Participate in cross-functional and/or multifunctional teams (e.g., project management, process improvement).(6 questions) |
|
210 |
Recommend/implement changes to the organization's purchasing, supply management, and material usage policies as needed. (5 questions) |
|
211 |
Disseminate information and provide training related to purchasing and supply management policies and procedures.(5 questions) |
|
|
|
E. External Relationships
(27 questions) |
212 |
Develop/manage effective relationships with suppliers, utilizing such techniques as supplier partnerships, strategic alliances, supply chain management, and supplier training programs.(7 questions) |
|
213 |
Review product availability and/or pricing information with suppliers.(6 questions) |
|
214 |
Conduct interviews with current and prospective supplier sales personnel.(3 questions) |
|
215 |
Coordinate/review/respond to supplier inquiries, protests, and appeals.(3 questions) |
|
216 |
Develop/implement a small business/disadvantaged supplier development program.(5 questions) |
|
217 |
Represent the buying organization in meetings with corporations, government agencies, professional associations, media, and other organizations.(3 questions) |
|
MODULE 3: VALUE ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES
(95 questions)
|
| Section |
Task |
Description |
A. Sourcing Analysis
(17 questions) |
301 |
Conduct decisions to "make or buy," privatize, or outsource products or services.(7 questions) |
|
302 |
Conduct decisions to lease or buy equipment.(5 questions) |
|
303 |
Develop financing and leveraging strategies for purchases.(5 questions) |
|
|
|
|
B. Supply and Inventory Management |
304 |
Organize, control, and minimize the storage of materials.(6 questions) |
| (19 questions) |
305 |
Meet with appropriate departments to discuss current material inventories, and establish restock levels or just-in-time strategies.(6 questions) |
|
306 |
Determine sources of and reconcile inventory discrepancies.(3 questions) |
|
307 |
Handle obsolete equipment/materials, surplus equipment/materials, and scrap.(4 questions) |
|
|
|
C. Value Enhancing Methods
(26 questions) |
308 |
Develop/implement a standardization program.(6 questions) |
| |
309 |
Develop/implement a process improvement program.(7 questions) |
|
310 |
Develop a cost reduction, cost avoidance, cost containment program (e.g., value analysis, consolidation of orders/suppliers, leadtime reduction, activity-based costing).(7 questions) |
|
311 |
Coordinate the introduction of new and modified products and services with appropriate departments.(6 questions) |
|
|
|
D. Forecasting and Strategies
(28 questions) |
312 |
Plan purchasing, sourcing, and supply strategies based on forecasted data. (6 questions) |
|
313 |
Develop supply plans and strategies based on forecasts of future demand.(6 questions) |
|
314 |
Provide forecasted data of future organization buying requirements to suppliers. (5 questions) |
|
315 |
Develop and maintain market awareness through merchandise shows, trade periodicals, and other resources to secure new product and pricing information.(5 questions) |
|
316 |
Provide data on current and future market conditions to management, sales management, and/or user departments.(6 questions) |
|
MODULE 4: MANAGEMENT (120 questions)
|
| Section |
Task |
Description |
A. Management and
Organization |
401 |
Develop strategic plans and objectives (short and long-term).(11 questions) |
| (61 questions) |
402 |
Develop goals and objectives of purchasing and supply department aligned to organizational goals. (11 questions) |
|
403 |
Plan/develop/provide operating policies, guidelines, and procedures.(9 questions) |
|
404 |
Prepare periodic reports of department activities for senior management and other areas of the organization. (7 questions) |
|
405 |
Analyze and resolve issues raised in purchasing and supply audit reports.(5 questions) |
|
406 |
Develop/utilize criteria for evaluating purchasing and supply department performance.(8 questions) |
|
407 |
Prepare and/or administer a purchasing department/supply management budget.(7 questions) |
|
408 |
Design, modify, and/or manage operational forms (paper and/or electronic).(3 questions) |
|
|
|
| B. Human Resources Management |
409 |
Supervise and lead purchasing/supply staff.(11 questions) |
| (49 questions) |
410 |
Hire, promote, and/or dismiss purchasing/supply personnel. (8 questions) |
|
411 |
Evaluate purchasing/supply staff performance. (8 questions) |
|
412 |
Conduct/authorize job training for the development of the professional competence of the staff. (9 questions) |
|
413 |
Resolve employee performance problems. (7 questions) |
|
414 |
Implement programs to prevent and respond to discrimination or harassment.(6 questions) |
