Download CIPS L4M2 Sample Questions [Mar-2024]
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CIPS L4M2 (Defining Business Needs) Certification Exam is designed to test the knowledge and skills of professionals who are involved in the process of defining business needs. L4M2 exam is an essential part of the CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) certification program and is a requirement for professionals who wish to obtain the CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply.
NEW QUESTION # 53
Which of the following is an assumption of Kano model?
- A. All customer requirements are basic requirements
- B. Different types of customer requirements have different impact on customer satisfaction
- C. The relationship between product functionality and customer satisfaction is always linear
- D. All types of customer requirements have the same impact on customer satisfaction
Answer: B
Explanation:
Kano model of excitement and basic quality (Kano et al, 1984; Berger et al, 1993; Matzler et al, 1996) brings a different perspective for the analysis of improvement opportunities in products and services because it takes in consideration the asymmetrical and non-linear relationship between performance and satisfaction. The Kano model classifies customers requirements in three categories (figure 3):
a) Basic Requirements. The basic requirements fulfill the basic functions of a product. If they are not present or their performance is insufficient, customers will be extremely dissatisfied. On the other hand, if they are present or have sufficient performance, they don't bring satisfaction. Customers see them as prerequisites. For instance, for luxury automobiles, "air bags" are considered basic. A customer won't feel satisfied if the automobile has "air bag", however he/she will not buy it if "air bag" is not present.
b) Performance Requirements. As for these requirements, satisfaction is proportional to the performance level - the higher the performance, the higher the customer's satisfaction will be and vice-versa. Gas consumption in automobiles is an example of these requirements. Usually customers explicitly demand performance requirements.
c) Excitement Requirements. These requirements are key to customer satisfaction. If they are pre-sent or have sufficient performance, they will bring superior satisfaction. On the other hand, if they are not present or their performance is insufficient, customers will not get dissatisfied. For instance, a surprise gift at the end of a dinner in a restaurant will certainly bring satisfaction, but it will not cause dissatisfaction if not offered. These requirements are not demanded nor expected by customers.
Two other types of requirements may be identified in the Kano model: neutral and reverse ones. Neutral requirements do not bring either satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Reverse requirements bring more satisfaction if absent than if present.
Reference:
- Integrating Kano model and QFD for Designing New Products
- CIPS study guide page 171-172
NEW QUESTION # 54
Which of the following is a tool to define roles and responsibilities of a project team?
- A. STEEPLE Analysis
- B. SCAMPER Method
- C. RACI Matrix
- D. Monte Carlo model
Answer: C
Explanation:
A responsibility assignment matrix[1] (RAM), also known as RACI matrix[2] (/relsi/) or linear responsibility chart[3] (LRC), describes the participation by various roles in complet-ing tasks or deliverables for a project or business process. RACI is an acronym derived from the four key responsibilities most typically used: responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed.[4] It is used for clarifying and defining roles and responsibilities in cross-functional or departmental projects and processes.[5] There are a number of alternatives to the RACI model.
Role distinction[edit]
There is a distinction between a role and individually identified people: a role is a descriptor of an associated set of tasks; may be performed by many people; and one person can perform many roles. For example, an organization may have ten people who can perform the role of project manager, although traditionally each project only has one project manager at any one time; and a person who is able to perform the role of project manager may also be able to perform the role of business analyst and tester.
R = Responsible (also recommender)Those who do the work to complete the task.[6] There is at least one role with a participation type of responsible, although others can be delegated to assist in the work required (see also RASCI below for separately identifying those who participate in a sup-porting role).
A = Accountable (also approver or final approving authority)The one ultimately answerable for the correct and thorough completion of the deliverable or task, the one who ensures the prerequi-sites of the task are met and who delegates the work to those responsible.[6] In other words, an accountable must sign off (approve) work that responsible provides. There must be only one accountable specified for each task or deliverable.[7] C = Consulted (sometimes consultant or counsel)Those whose opinions are sought, typical-ly subject-matter experts; and with whom there is two-way communication.[6] I = Informed (also informee)Those who are kept up-to-date on progress, often only on completion of the task or deliverable; and with whom there is just one-way communication.[6] Very often the role that is accountable for a task or deliverable may also be responsible for com-pleting it (indicated on the matrix by the task or deliverable having a role accountable for it, but no role responsible for its completion, i.e. it is implied). Outside of this exception, it is generally recommended that each role in the project or process for each task receive, at most, just one of the participation types. Where more than one participation type is shown, this generally implies that participation has not yet been fully resolved, which can impede the value of this technique in clarifying the participation of each role on each task.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 17
- Responsibility assignment matrix - Wikipedia
LO 1, AC 1.1
NEW QUESTION # 55
Which of the following areas is specified by ISO/IEC 27001 family?
- A. The requirements for an information security management system
- B. Evaluation and assessment of mutual agreed customer food safety requirements
- C. The requirements for an environmental management system
- D. The dimensions and associated tolerances for a series of housings for piston seals
Answer: A
Explanation:
ISO/IEC 27001 is widely known, providing requirements for an information security management system (ISMS), though there are more than a dozen standards in the ISO/IEC 27000 family. Using them enables organizations of any kind to manage the security of assets such as financial infor-mation, intellectual property, employee details or information entrusted by third parties.
LO 3, AC 3.1
NEW QUESTION # 56
Despite of better improvement rates than other types of benchmarking, functional benchmarking still has downsides. Which of the following is most likely to be a disadvantage of functional benchmarking?
- A. Difference of corporate cultures across companies
- B. Unfair competition
- C. Legal issues regarding intellectual property
- D. Benchmarking can only be undertaken within an industry
Answer: A
Explanation:
Functional benchmarking is a comparison to similar or identical practices (e.g., the picking process for assembling customer orders, maintaining inventory controls of spare computer parts, logistics to move operational forces, etc.) within the same or similar functions outside the immediate industry. Functional benchmarking might identify practices that are superior in your functional areas in whatever industry they may exist. Functional benchmarking would be accomplished at the federal level by comparing the IRS collections process against those of American Express. Comparing copper mining techniques to coal mining techniques is an example in the private sector.
Benefits
- Provides industry trend information
- Quantitative comparisons
- Better improvement rate
Challenges
- Diverse corporate cultures
- Great need for specificity
- Not invented here. syndrome
- Common functions can be difficult to find
- Takes more time than internal or percent
- Must be able to visualize how to adapt the best practices
Source: USN Benchmarking Handbook
LO 1, AC 1.3
NEW QUESTION # 57
A procurement manager consolidates the company expense on printing and office supplies into broader range of spend category. Other senior managers are concerned that it may increase company's spend. Is that concern justified?
- A. Yes, because the consolidation may create a large contract that costs more than placing each purchase order
- B. Yes, because the suppliers can't provide a broader range of products and they will fail to deliver
- C. No, because the broader range of spend category can increase the value of the contract and the buyer may get volume discount
- D. No, because the consolidation will help the supplier to shorten deliver time.
Answer: C
Explanation:
Printing and office supplies are often considered as low risk, low value items. Consolidation low value, low risk items into a broader range will dramatically increases the value of the contract and leverage of buying organisation in the negotiation.
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.1
NEW QUESTION # 58
Which of the following is the process for improving the value of a new product or service?
- A. Value analysis
- B. Porter's Five Forces
- C. Planning and design
- D. Value engineering
Answer: D
Explanation:
Value Engineering (VE) is concerned with new products. It is applied during product development. The focus is on reducing costs, improving function or both, by way of teamwork-based product evaluation and analysis. This takes place before any capital is invested in tooling, plant or equipment.
This is very significant, because according to many reports, up to 80% of a product's costs (throughout the rest of its life-cycle), are locked in at the design development stage. This is under-standable when you consider the design of any product determines many factors, such as tooling, plant and equipment, labour and skills, training costs, materials, shipping, installation, maintenance, as well as decommissioning and recycle costs.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.4
NEW QUESTION # 59
One of the disadvantages of using standards in specification is that...
- A. Standards tend to be rigid and they often don't encourage innovation
- B. Standards lengthen the time to produce a specification
- C. Standards tend to be inaccurate and ambiguous, causing confusion among suppliers
- D. Standards don't allow the buyers to add health and safety requirements into the specification
Answer: A
Explanation:
Using standards in specification is very convenient. They reduce the time and effort to produce. They tend to be very accurate with correct technical terminologies. They are well recognised and accepted by a wide range of suppliers and buyers. However, since a standard is very specific, complex and lengthy, it requires a lot of time to be drafted and approved. Therefore, standard tends to be static and don't encourage innovation. It may also not accommodate latest technology and trends.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.1
NEW QUESTION # 60
When should procurement professional tolerate a risk?
- A. When the risk imposes an existential threat
- B. When the risk causes some trivial annoyance
- C. When the risk may disrupt the production
- D. When the risk breaks the relationship with the strategic supplier
Answer: B
Explanation:
Risk control is the process by which an organization reduces the likelihood of a risk event occurring or mitigates the effects that risk should it occur. Our preferred way to determine your risk control strategy is to use the four T's Process:
Transferring Risk can be achieved through the use of various forms of insurance, or the payment to third parties who are prepared to take the risk on behalf of the organization Tolerating Risk is where no action is taken to mitigate or reduce a risk. This may be because the cost of instituting risk reduction or mitigation activity is not cost-effective or the risks of impact are at so low that they are deemed acceptable to the business (such as some trivial annoyance). Even when these risks are tolerated they should be monitored because future changes may make it no longer tolerable.
Treating Risk is a method of controlling risk through actions that reduce the likelihood of the risk occurring or minimize its impact prior to its occurrence. Also, there are contingent measures that can be developed to reduce the impact of an event once it has occurred.
Terminating Risk is the simplest and most often ignored method of dealing with risk. It is the ap-proach that should be most favored where possible and simply involves risk elimination. This can be done by altering an inherently risky process or practice to remove the risk. The same can be used when reviewing practices and processes in all areas of the business.
If an item presents a risk and can be changed or removed without it materially affecting the busi-ness, then removing the risk should be the first option considered; rather than attempting the treat, tolerate or transfer it.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.3
NEW QUESTION # 61
Lider Ltd is a leading bathroom furniture manufacturer in Indi
a. The company has more than 30 years experience in the market with extended knowledge of engineering and customers' taste. Lider is planning to launch a new type of bath fitting next year which offers Bluetooth connectivity and thermostat display. The company gathers a team of multi-disciplines, including engineering, procurement, sales and marketing. At the first team meeting, the project leader tells the team to discuss which functions will be valued by the customers, and how to deliver those functions with the lowest costs possible. Which of the following describes the process that the project team is undertaking?
- A. Standardisation
- B. Just in time
- C. Value engineering
- D. Cost analysis
Answer: C
Explanation:
From the scenario, you can see that the project team is developing a new product. They start with analysing the functions, and the costs of delivering those functions. This is a typical process of value engineering. You may read more on value engineering from the reference paper.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 171-173
- Value Analysis - Norwood Whittle (cimaglobal.com)
- A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VALUE ENGI-NEERING (researchgate.net) LO 3, AC 3.4
NEW QUESTION # 62
A charity is reviewing their spend and budget after an operation in flooded areas. They realise that the operators save money against the budgeting plan. This saving is known as...?
- A. Positive variance
- B. Positive budget
- C. Negative budget
- D. Negative variance
Answer: D
Explanation:
The difference between the actual spend and budgeted spend is known as variance. The formula for variance is:
Variance = Actual spend - Budgeted spend
Variances can be adverse/unfavourable or favourable ie they can be positive or negative.
Be very careful with these terms. A positive or a negative variance may be favourable or it may be adverse/ unfavourable.
Adverse variances
Adverse variances are those variances that are unfavourable to the firm. Examples would be sales below plan; costs above budget, cash receipts lower than expected, and overtime payment more than forecast.
Favourable variances
Favourable variances are those variances that are beneficial to the business. Examples would be sales ahead of plan, costs below budget, and wages below forecast.
Positive variance
A positive variance occurs where 'actual' exceeds 'planned' or 'budgeted' value. Examples might be actual sales are ahead of the budget.
Negative variance
A negative variance occurs where 'actual' is less than 'planned' or 'budgeted' value. Examples would be when the raw materials cost less than expected, sales were less than predicted, and labour costs were below the budgeted figure.
When the operators create saving, it means that the Actual spend is less than Budgeted spend. Therefore the variance is negative.
Reference:
- Variance analysis
- CIPS study guide page 57-59
LO 1, AC 1.4
NEW QUESTION # 63
Which of the following are typically reasons why an organisation implements value analysis? Select TWO that apply:
- A. To determine the value of each component used
- B. To find cost reduction opportunities by optimising the components used
- C. To decide whether there will be sufficient surplus funds to reinvest in the business
- D. To shape and manage supply market
- E. To provide an outline business case for the specification
Answer: A
Explanation:
Value analysis is a systematic review of the production, purchasing and product design processes to reduce overall product costs. This can be accomplished through a variety of activities, including the following:
- Designing products to use lower-tolerance parts that are less expensive
- Switching to lower-cost components
- Standardizing parts across product platforms in order to achieve volume discounts
- Altering production processes to minimize the amount of production cycle time, thereby reducing labor costs
- Introducing automation to strip labor costs out of the production process
- Altering product packaging to lower its cost while still protecting the product The process is not a wholesale attack on costs. Costs are only reduced when the result will not im-pact the perceived level of quality experienced by customers, or the level of customer satisfaction.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.4
NEW QUESTION # 64
Which of the following specific markets is most likely to have the lowest entry barrier?
- A. Retail
- B. Financial
- C. Agriculture
- D. Manufacturing
- E. Services
Answer: E
Explanation:
Start-up costs are generally low in service industries, and the main requirement is a level of knowledge and skill in that particular service.
LO 2, AC 2.1
NEW QUESTION # 65
Which of the following methods will enable a company to eliminate waste, lost time and lost material from its processes?
- A. Over specification
- B. Agile principles
- C. Lean principles
- D. Tendering process for routine items
Answer: C
Explanation:
Lean design is about maximising the value that a customer receives and at the same time minimis-ing waste in delivering that value.
For an organisation to be 'lean' it must have had all non-essential resources removed (ie. anything that does not add value, see below). This is efficient and cost effective, in that the value/supply chain can theoretically do exactly what is needed of it and no more, but requires sound forecasting and planning of demand and supply. It is most suitable for industries with stable product specifications, long lead times and few impulse purchases.
Organisations which are 'agile' react as quickly as is practicable to provide a cost effective response to customer demand. This is based on flexibility in design, supply, production and distribution. It is most appropriate for products such as fast fashion and foodstuffs which must be on display and available when wanted by the customer.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 153-156
- Agile Supply (cips.org)
LO 3, AC 3.3
NEW QUESTION # 66
A procurement manager includes provision on recovery from natural disaster into a through-life specification. Some suppliers suppose that provision is unnecessary. Is procurement manager's action justified?
- A. No, because with current technology, natural disaster can't disrupt supply chain.
- B. Yes, because natural disaster may cause risks in organisation's supply chain
- C. No, because this provision will incur unnecessary cost to supplier
- D. Yes, because the regulations require contract to have recovery provision
Answer: B
Explanation:
Risks like natural disasters - fire, flood, or weather-related event, and cyber-attacks can disrupt the supply chain seriously. Threats and disruptions mean a loss of revenue and higher costs, which leads to a drop in profitability. And businesses can't rely on insurance alone because it doesn't cover all the costs and the customers who move to the competition. Risks must be identified early and supplier should have a plan that ensures continuous operations during disasters.
There are several steps many companies must follow to develop a solid business continuity plan. They include:
- Business Impact Analysis: Here, the business will identify functions and related resources that are time-sensitive. (More on this below.)
- Recovery: In this portion, the business must identify and implement steps to recover critical business functions.
- Organization: A continuity team must be created. This team will devise a plan to manage the disruption.
- Training: The continuity team must be trained and tested. Members of the team should also complete exercises that go over the plan and strategies.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.2
NEW QUESTION # 67
Which of the following statements is true about product life cycle?
- A. The price remains static throughout the product life cycle
- B. If price skimming is adopted, the supplier will gradually lower the price when it attracts enough buyers
- C. Sale volume will be the highest at the introductory stage
- D. The price competition will be the fiercest at the declining stage because the inventories are plentiful
Answer: B
Explanation:
A product's life cycle portrays the length of time a product is in the market; from the beginning of its introduction to consumers until it is removed from shelves and phased out. This cycle is often divided into four phases: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. Depending on the relevant stage, companies will set an according strategy to achieve their desired targets. Pricing and promotions play a pivotal role in the design of these product life cycle strategies. Therefore, product life cycle management, the process of strategizing ways to continuously support and maintain a product, is seen more and more at pricing mature players and could bring real value to your company.
Introduction phase: during the introduction phase, the new product is introduced to consumers and a substantial amount of money is invested in advertising and marketing campaigns to bring awareness of the product to the customer. In this phase competition is low, but units sold will also correspondingly be quite low as well still. Consumers need to be convinced of the benefits of the product. Lots of articles never make it beyond this phase: e.g. 3D televisions.
Profits in the introduction stage tend to be low or there may even be a loss. This is because the cost of marketing to establish product awareness plus distribution costs can be far higher than the revenue received from sales. This can be offset to a degree by 'skimming' price in the very early stages. Skimming a price is where a business charges the highest price that it thinks the market will bear initially until product recognition brings in other buyers and then the price drop.
Growth phase: when it's shown there is proven demand for the product and consumers are buying it, the next stage will be its growth phase. This phase is punctuated by increasing demand, increas-ing production and an increase in the competitive landscape. Availability of the product is under-standably paramount during this phase, going out of stock is unthinkable during the growth period.
The electric car is an example of a product that is currently in the midst of the growth phase.
Maturity phase: normally the maturity phase is the phase that is characterized by declining production and marketing costs due to synergies and economies of scale. During this phase the first signs of market saturation occur and most consumers or households already own the product. Sales numbers still grow, but at a slower pace. In the maturity phase, price competition becomes intense, a broader range of distribution channels are deployed and competition is more focused on competitive pricing, marginal product differences or the difference in services or promotions. This period in the PLC is often said to be the 'cash-cow period'.
That being said, the idea of 'Maturity from the start' also exists. This occurs when a brand decides to launch a product extension and directly follows up the maturity phase of an earlier version of the product. For example, the iPhoneX followed up from the 'normal' iPhone-series and therefore the iPhoneX never had to undergo the introduction or growth phase, but immediately started in its maturity phase.
Decline phase: the final phase of the PLC is entered once the product loses market share to other, newer products and the competitive landscape becomes too hard to survive. During this stage, de-mand declines, companies are left with overstock with prices and margins getting depressed. Therefore retailers and brands normally start stunting with promotions during the decline of the PLC to sell their final stock.
A well-known example of a product that has been through the decline phase were the Nokia phones; sales results dramatically decreased after the introduction of the iPhone.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 90
- Adjusting your Pricing Strategy to the Product Life Cycle Stage (omniaretail.com)
- Price Skimming Definition (investopedia.com)
LO 2, AC 2.2
NEW QUESTION # 68
Which of the following are recognised competitive strategies?
1. Winning new business at all cost
2. Getting more customers' attention
3. Creating stand-out products and brands
4. Focusing on niche market
5. Acquiring competitors
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 3 and 4 only
- C. 2 and 5 only
- D. 3 and 5 only
Answer: B
Explanation:
"A firm's relative position within its industry determines whether a firm's profitability is above or below the industry average. The fundamental basis of above average profitability in the long run is sustainable competitive advantage. There are two basic types of competitive advantage a firm can possess: low cost or differentiation. The two basic types of competitive advantage combined with the scope of activities for which a firm seeks to achieve them, lead to three generic strategies for achieving above average performance in an industry: cost leadership, differentiation, and focus." (Reference: Porter, Michael E., "Competitive Advantage". 1985, Ch. 1, pp 11-15. The Free Press. New York.) Creating stand-out products and brands is considered as Differentiation. An organisation that is not clear about which of these three strategies to use is described as 'stuck in the middle' LO 2, AC 2.1
NEW QUESTION # 69
ABC Ltd has enormous investment in facilities and machinery. It also employs skilled workforce. To be profitable, the company has to produce at massive quantity. Which sector does ABC Ltd belong to?
- A. Retail
- B. Finance
- C. Manufacturing
- D. Agriculture
- E. Construction
Answer: C
Explanation:
In the scenario, ABC Ltd has the following characteristics:
- Large investment in facilities and machinery
- Access to skilled workforce
- Mass production.
This company is a manufacturer. Manufacturing is an industry that makes products from raw ma-terials by the use of manual labour or machinery and that is usually carried out systematically with a division of labour.
Manufacturing requires investment in machinery and access to a suitably skilled workforce as well as materials and components.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 74-76
- manufacturing | Definition, Types, & Facts | Britannica
LO 2, AC 2.1
NEW QUESTION # 70
Why is the specification considered as the most important document in procurement?
- A. It always shifts the balance of bargaining power in favour of the buyer
- B. It provides a mean to appraise the performance of supplier
- C. It eliminates all possible supply risks
- D. It helps the buyer to gain at supplier's loss
Answer: B
Explanation:
Specification is the most important document in procurement because it sets out the quality which supplier must provide. If there is no spec or the spec lacks clarity and details, supplier's perfor-mance may vary and possibly lower than actual requirements. This puts the buyer at risks. On the other hand, if the spec is clear and detailed, the supplier is liable to provide 'fit for purpose' products or perform the service at required level of quality. This will ensure that the buyer achieve 'Right Quality'.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 116-130
- How fitness for purpose works - Evocurement
LO 3, AC 3.1
NEW QUESTION # 71
When analyzing direct and indirect costs of potential suppliers for negotiations and planning pur-chasing budget, the procurement manager collects reports from specialist organisations like Mintel, Gartner and Forrester. Which kind of information source is used by the procurement manager?
- A. Company annual report
- B. RFI
- C. Market data
- D. Technical data
Answer: C
Explanation:
Using Porter's value chain helps procurement professionals know what are direct and indirect costs of supplier. Information on direct and indirect costs will have been collected as part of the market analysis. Information sources that may help include the following:
- Company annual reports
- Market data
- Technical data
- Request for information
- Plan visits
- Discount lists
Market data is the information that is collected and analysed by specialist organisations like Mintel, Gartner, Forrester,...
Reference:
LO 2, AC 2.3
NEW QUESTION # 72
Builder Inc is a rapidly expanding business in construction sector. Due to an increase in projects, it cannot manage the flow of materials by Excel spreadsheets but by more dedicated software. Who would be a key internal stakeholder in defining software compatibility with company's current system?
- A. Procurement team
- B. Finance team
- C. IT team
- D. Executive team
Answer: C
Explanation:
Internal stakeholders may contribute to defining needs and drafting the specification by using their technical expertise. In this scenario, IT team may consult procurement team on the technical specification of the software, including compatibility with company's current IT system.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.4
NEW QUESTION # 73
......
The CIPS L4M2 course comprises of five modules, each covering a specific aspect of the procurement and supply chain management process. The modules are designed to build upon each other, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of the procurement and supply chain management process. Upon completion of the course, individuals will have the skills required to effectively manage the procurement process from start to finish, ensuring maximum value for their organization.
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