  | The National Association of Purchasing Management has become the Institute for Supply Management™. Please be aware that NAPM.org is now ISM.ws.
Distribution of Questions Within the C.P.M. Exam
MODULE 1: PURCHASING PROCESS
(95 QUESTIONS)
| Part A. Identifying Requirements |
| 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 |
| Part B. Preparation of Solicitations |
| 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 |
| Part C. Supplier Analysis |
| 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 |
| Part D. Contract Execution, Implementation, and Administration |
| 113 |
Prepare and/or issue contracts/purchase orders |
4 questions |
| 114 |
Obtain legal review and approval of a contract when required | 5 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 |
Plus Unscored Try-out (5 questions)
MODULE 2: SUPPLY ENVIRONMENT
(95 QUESTIONS)
| Part A. Negotiations |
| 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 |
| Part B. Information Technology |
| 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 |
| Part C. Quality Issues |
| 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 |
| Part D. Internal Relationships |
| 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 |
| Part E. External Relationships |
| 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 |
Plus Unscored Try-out (5 questions)
MODULE 3: VALUE ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES
(95 QUESTIONS)
| Part A. Sourcing Analysis |
| 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 |
| Part B. Supply and Inventory Management |
| 304 |
Organize, control, and minimize the storage of materials |
6 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 |
| Part C. Value Enhancing Methods |
| 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 |
| Part D. Forecasting and Strategies |
| 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 |
Plus Unscored Try-out (5 questions)
MODULE 4: MANAGEMENT
(120 QUESTIONS)
| Part A. Management and Organization |
| 401 |
Develop strategic plans and objectives (short- and long-term) | 11 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 |
| Part B. Human Resources Management |
| 409 |
Supervise and lead purchasing and supply staff |
11 questions |
| 410 |
Hire, promote, and/or dismiss purchasing and supply personnel | 8 questions |
| 411 |
Evaluate purchasing and 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 |
Plus Unscored Try-out (10 questions)
Module 1, 2, and 3 are scored at 105 minutes.
Module 4 is scored at 130 minutes.
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