Whats Included in the BSCM Module of the CPIM Exam?
Since 1973, achieving the designation of APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management has signaled a certain level of professional excellence. And so it should. Inventory managers, purchasers, supply chain managers, and those involved in operations and material management can all benefit from the CPIM program.
The material in the APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management exam- which we'll refer to as the CPIM exam - is meant for professionals with at least 2 years of experience. So it makes sense that this certification requires a separate exam for each of the five major areas of production and inventory management: Basics of Supply Chain Management, Master Planning of Resources, Detailed Scheduling and Planning, Execution and Control of Operations, and Strategic Management of Resources.
Studying for the BSCM Module
In this particular article, we'll focus on the first of these five exams: the Basics of Supply Chain Management (BSCM).
The basics of supply chain management, as defined by APICS, include the following:
- Basic supply chain environments
- Demand management
- How to design processes, products, and information systems
- Inventory costs, metrics, and other supply issues
If you're considering getting your CPIM, this will be your first step. You should already have a good grasp of industry terminology, concepts, and applications. You'll especially want to tie in the supply chain basics covered in the first module with your professional experience. The trick will be utilizing and leveraging your expertise in the supply chain management or operations field to arrive at soltutions that the APICS BOK dictates as a "best practice".
In other words, the way you do business is not always the best way to do business. You may be thinking, "well then, if I can't pull from my past experience, how else do I prepare for the BSCM exam?" The answer lies in the recommended reading, which APICS has outlined in their latest requirements:
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APICS Dictionary, 13th Edition. This handy reference work contains more than 4,000 definitions of terms and acronyms that you'll need to know, both for the exam and for your career in planning and production.
Introduction to Materials Management. (J.R. Tony Arnold et al, 7th Edition) This book's title pretty much describes it all; it covers the entire process of materials management and has a roster of new updates. This is the big book of operations management and I can't recommend it more. The concepts will carry you far past the first module, so grab your copy at Amazon or you favorite book retailer.
Managing the flow of products from supplier to consumer is at the heart of BSCM. These concepts apply across the board, from manufacturing operations to service industries. The BSCM module acts as both a summary of the CPIM exam process and an introduction to the whole: in later modules, these same topics will be expanded and pursued in depth. Are you ready to tackle the first module?
Peter is the founder of Production Planning Pro, a small team of supply chain management professionals dedicated to providing free CPIM practice questions and other relevant study materials.
Since 1973, achieving the designation of APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management has signaled a certain level of professional excellence. And so it should. Inventory managers, purchasers, supply chain managers, and those involved in operations and material management can all benefit from the CPIM program.
The material in the APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management exam- which we'll refer to as the CPIM exam - is meant for professionals with at least 2 years of experience. So it makes sense that this certification requires a separate exam for each of the five major areas of production and inventory management: Basics of Supply Chain Management, Master Planning of Resources, Detailed Scheduling and Planning, Execution and Control of Operations, and Strategic Management of Resources.
Studying for the BSCM Module
In this particular article, we'll focus on the first of these five exams: the Basics of Supply Chain Management (BSCM).
The basics of supply chain management, as defined by APICS, include the following:
- Basic supply chain environments
- Demand management
- How to design processes, products, and information systems
- Inventory costs, metrics, and other supply issues
If you're considering getting your CPIM, this will be your first step. You should already have a good grasp of industry terminology, concepts, and applications. You'll especially want to tie in the supply chain basics covered in the first module with your professional experience. The trick will be utilizing and leveraging your expertise in the supply chain management or operations field to arrive at soltutions that the APICS BOK dictates as a "best practice".
In other words, the way you do business is not always the best way to do business. You may be thinking, "well then, if I can't pull from my past experience, how else do I prepare for the BSCM exam?" The answer lies in the recommended reading, which APICS has outlined in their latest requirements:
APICS Dictionary, 13th Edition. This handy reference work contains more than 4,000 definitions of terms and acronyms that you'll need to know, both for the exam and for your career in planning and production.
Introduction to Materials Management. (J.R. Tony Arnold et al, 7th Edition) This book's title pretty much describes it all; it covers the entire process of materials management and has a roster of new updates. This is the big book of operations management and I can't recommend it more. The concepts will carry you far past the first module, so grab your copy at Amazon or you favorite book retailer.
Managing the flow of products from supplier to consumer is at the heart of BSCM. These concepts apply across the board, from manufacturing operations to service industries. The BSCM module acts as both a summary of the CPIM exam process and an introduction to the whole: in later modules, these same topics will be expanded and pursued in depth. Are you ready to tackle the first module?
Peter is the founder of Production Planning Pro, a small team of supply chain management professionals dedicated to providing free CPIM practice questions and other relevant study materials.