L4M6 Exam Dumps - CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply Questions and Answers

Explanation

The Handfield ESI model is on p.98 and comprises of Black Box, Grey Box, White Box and None. Therefore Red and Blue can be automatically discounted. The correct answer is White Box as the definition given is correct. Grey Box is a formalised supplier integration; joint development activity between buyer and supplier. I have no idea why Handfield calls his system after coloured boxes- but it’s only briefly mentioned in the study guide and is not likely to be a big topic in the exam.

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘accommodating’. This QUESTION NO: is based on the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict model on p.87. This comes up quite a bit in the exam. It is comprised of 5 techniques for dealing with conflict; competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding and accommodating. In this instance, the supplier should have a high degree of co-cooperativeness and a low degree of assertiveness as the long-term relationship is very important- more important than the outcome of the disputed invoice.

Explanation

In an adversarial relationship "the outcome of the deal… is more important than maintaining the relationship over a long-term period" p.7. They can be characterised by poor communication and can be used for one-off purchases but be careful for words in answers such as 'only' and 'always', as these can be misleading; adversarial relationships aren't always for one-off purchases, and communication isn't always poor. The other answer is incorrect (price is more important) because it doesn't describe the relationship, which is what the question asked.

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘run a restricted competition – send out a PQQ’. This QUESTION NO: tests both your understanding of when to run open and restricted competitions (which is explained on p.75) and your understanding of tender documents. Mandy should run a restricted competition- there are a lot of options in the marketplace and this will allow her to pre-qualify those who best suit her requirements. Running an open competition when there are lots of suppliers would be too time-consuming- you need a way of making a short-list. When you run a restricted competition, the first stage is sending out a PQQ- pre-qualification questionnaire; this document is sent to suppliers asking for necessary information to support their qualification as an approved supplier.

Explanation

It can be difficult for buyers in the private sector to build relationships with suppliers because of rules that state competitive tenders must be undertaken every few years (within the EU this is usually every 4). This means that both parties aren’t as invested in developing the relationship as it’s possible the contact will end shortly. Competitive tendering is a requirement in the public sector to ensure value for money for taxpayers. See p.79 for further details. There are no rules stating Public Sector organisations can’t have good relationships with suppliers, and in fact most will have good relationships with their current suppliers- the issue is that neither party can get too invested in the relationship as everyone knows it may end shortly. There are rules, however, against entering into Partnership relationships (which is discussed in chapter 3).

Explanation

The correct answer is Forming, storming, norming, performing (p.91). Note; some people add on two additional stages to this; mourning and adjourning. The study guide forgets to mention this, but the exam may ask you about these additional stages. So I strongly recommend doing some further reading on this (it’s called the Tuckman Group Development Model)

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘The CEO is a key player- so it is important he is involved early in the process’. The CEO has high power and high interest which puts him in the top right-hand corner of Mendelow’s Stakeholder Matrix (p.81). CIPS says Key Players should be involved early in the procurement process (p.82).

Explanation

Using technical jargon can lead to misunderstandings if not all parties understand the jargon. See p. 158 on communication issues

Explanation

Fred should hold a competition as this is a ‘key way of achieving value for money’ p.67. Fred shouldn’t put a business case together to make the product in-house without doing a make vs buy analysis, and that analysis showing make is the way to go. As the firm buy in 100s of components, it’s very unlikely that making the component in-house would bring ‘value for money’. He should also be careful of only looking at current suppliers or known suppliers- the best supplier of this new component might be unknown to the engineering firm at present.

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘The Matrix doesn’t consider whether the stakeholder is for or against the activity’. For a list of other limitations of using Mendelow’s Stakeholder Matrix see p.82