LEVEL 6: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN PRACTICE – CASE STUDY

Introduction

Note that the Case Study Analysis is no longer published by Profex. The rights to this publication are now owned by Passweb, who in recent years have produced the Analysis under contract to Profex. With immediate effect Passweb will now publish the Analysis in their own name. For details of how to order, visit www.passweb.co.uk.

If you already know that you wish to purchase the CIPS/Profex Workbook for this Unit, please place your order by visiting the CIPS website, or by phoning the CIPS bookshop.

If you wish to know more about the Case Study exam and/or the Profex Workbook, please read on.

The Level 6 Case Study exam
The CIPS/Profex Case Study Workbook

The Level 6 Case Study exam

This unit is the ultimate test of your academic study of supply chain management. For most students, it is the final hurdle before achieving the letters MCIPS.

The reason for studying this unit last is that it draws on all your knowledge from the other Level 6 compulsory units (Leading and Influencing, and Strategic SCM), as well as the compulsory units from Level 5 (Management in the Purchasing Function, Risk Management, and Improving Supply Chain Performance). There is no ‘syllabus’ for this unit, no new body of knowledge that you have to master. Instead, the focus is on the practical application of knowledge acquired earlier to a realistic supply chain scenario.

Four weeks before the exam date, CIPS publish ‘the case’. This is a mass of information (typically 15 or 20 pages of it) setting out the scenario. Historically, the scenario has revolved around some fictional organisation, but more recently the examiner has favoured a real-life scenario. Recent examples include the worldwide toy industry and the UK retailer Marks & Spencer.

At this stage you do not know the exam questions – you will not find out until you enter the exam room! In the period leading up to the exam you are expected to immerse yourself in the pre-seen material, and any further detail arising from your own independent research. You are meant to carry out detailed analysis of the supply chain issues arising from the scenario in preparation for answering whatever questions the examiner has up his sleeve. Profex can help you with this! That is the objective of the Profex Workbook described below. The Workbook – and indeed any other study material you have – may be taken into the exam room.

The CIPS/Profex Case Study Workbook

This publication is available all year round. It can be ordered via the CIPS website or by phoning the CIPS bookshop. The Workbook is partly concerned with exam technique, partly with revision of the knowledge you are supposed to have acquired in studying other units.

• In relation to exam technique, the Workbook contains chapters on a recommended approach to the exam, preparing notes on the case, and how to tackle case study questions. This is supported by practice on realistic cases derived from past CIPS case study exams.
• In relation to revision, the Workbook contains brief summaries of the main points you are supposed to have learned in earlier units. These will either refresh your memory on points you have partly forgotten, or will highlight areas where you need to refer back to your notes from earlier units.

The case study exam is a completely different animal from other exams you have attempted. Your preparation should start well before CIPS publish the case, and the CIPS/Profex Workbook is the ideal tool for helping you.