Education Course Descriptions

Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)

Basics of Supply Chain Management (BSCM)
Candidates explore the basic concepts of managing the flow of materials in a supply chain. In Basics you get a complete overview of material flow, from internal and external suppliers, to and from your organization. Topics include:

  • Elements of the supply chain
  • Just-in-time (JIT)
  • Total quality management (TQM)
  • Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP2)
  • Demand Planning
  • Capacity Management
Strategic Management of Resources (SMR)
Candidates explore the relationship of existing and emerging processes and technologies to manufacturing strategy and supply chain-related functions. The course addresses three main topics-- aligning resources with the strategic plan, configuring and integrating operating processes to support the strategic plan, and implementing change. Topics also include:

  • Competitive market issues
  • Choices affecting facilities
  • Supply chain
  • Information technology and organizational design
  • Configuring and integrating internal processes
  • Evaluating and managing projects
Execution and Control of Operations (ECO)
Candidates focus on the areas of prioritizing and sequencing work, executing work plans and implementing controls, reporting activity results, and providing feedback on performance. The course explains techniques for scheduling and controlling production processes, the execution of quality initiatives and continuous improvement plans, and the control and handling of inventories. Topics include:

  • Priortizing and scheduling work
  • Executing plans and implementing controls
  • Authorizing and reporting activities for push and pull systems
  • Evaluating performance and providing feedback
Detailed Scheduling and Planning (DSP)
Candidates focus on the various techniques for material and capacity scheduling. The course includes detailed descriptions of material requirements planning (MRP), capacity requirements planning (CRP), inventory management practices, and procurement and supplier planning. Topics include:

  • Recognizing techniques & practices of inventory management.
  • Mechanics of the detailedmaterial planning process
  • Planning operations to support the priority plan
  • Planning procurement
  • External sources of supply
Master Planning of Resources (MPR)
Candidates explore processes used to develop sales and operations plans and identify and assess internal and external demand and forecasting requirements. The course focuses on the importance of producing achievable master schedules that are consistent with business policies, objectives, and resource constraints. Topics include:

  • Demend Management
  • Sales and Operations Planning
  • Master Scheduling
  • Measuring the Business Plan

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

CSCP Modules


This new program was launced at the 2005 APICS International Conference and Exposition, October 16-18 in Kansas City, Missouri. The CSCP program takes a broad view of the field, extending beyond internal operations to encompass all the steps throughout the supply chain - from the supplier, through the company, to the end consumer. It will provide professionals with the knowledge and understanding to manage the integration and coordination of activities within today's complex supply chains.

Benefits of CSCP


By earning your CSCP designation, you will:

  • Learn to boost productivity, collaboration, and innovation.
  • Discover how to positively affect lead times, inventory, productivity, and bottom-line profiability.
  • Understand how to manage the integration and coordination of activities to achieve reduced costs and
        increase efficiencies and customer service
  • Gain the knowledge to effectively and efficiently manage worldwide supply chain activities.
  • Achieve greater confidence and peer and industry recognition.
  • Enjoy the potential for career advancement and increased earnings

CSCP Learning System


Based on the CSCP body of knowledge, the CSCP Learning System is a comprehensive professional development and CSCP exam preparation program. The learning system is organized into the following four modules:

MODULE 1 Supply Chain Management Fundamentals:
  • Understand how successful supply chain management adds value to an organization
  • Learn how to develop a supply chain strategy that aligns with corporate strategy.

MODULE 2 Building Competitive Operations Planning and Logistics:
  • Understand natural dynamics within the supply chain to optimize performance and profitability.
  • Evaluate the process constraints and choices within global logistics to establish a plan linked to overall    strategy.

MODULE 3 Managing Customer and Supplier Relationships:
  • Effectively use customer data to improve service performance and increase value to suppliers and    customers
  • Understand the strategic importance of purchasing and supplier relationships.

MODULE 4 Using Information Technology to Enable Supply Chain Management:
  • Understand the innovative technologies enabling collaborative commerce and global visibility.
  • Apply technology to enhance performance of distribution, reverse logistics, and global supply chain     communications.

Learning System Components

The learning system combines print materials with interactive online tools to deliver a customized learning experience. The comprehensive, easy-to-use course is self-directed, but it can be combined with curriculum delivered through live instruction for those who prefer a classroom approach to learning. The instructor-led option will be available beginning in the second quarter of 2006 through APICS Pikes Peak Chapter.

Print Material:
Four easy-to-understand modules, each with its own text, comprised of more than 800 pages of content covering the entire CSCP body of knowledge. Progress check questions at the end of each section to assess your understanding of the concepts.

Online Tools:
Interactive tools include a practice test bank of more than 600 multiple-choice questions; a pre-test to determine your initial strengths and weaknesses and help you create a customized study plan based on your individual needs; timed module-specific tests with immediate feedback, answer rationales, and reference to the relevant sections in the text so you can review problem areas; a timed post-test to determine your progress toward preparing for the exam; an online progress report revealing what you've completed to date and how well you scored; e-flashcards to test your knowledge of relevant terms and definitions; and an online glossary for quick reference to terms.

CSCP Examination:
To earn the CSCP designation, an individual must pass one comprehensive four-hour exam. The exam will consist of 175 multiple-choice questions and will be delivered via paper-and-pencil administrations beginning in 2006. The 2007 exam administrations are scheduled for March 24, June 23, and December 8. There will be a test center in the Denver area.



Becoming a CSCP candidate:
The CSP examination is available to individuals who have relevant work experience and education and would like to advance their careers in this growing field by getting a broader understanding and increasing their knowledge on all the areas that make up the supply chain. To be eligible to for the CSCP exam, a candidate must meet one of the following criteria:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent, plus two years of related business experience
  • CPIM, CFPIM, CIRM, or C.P.M. designation plus two years of related business experience
  • Five years of related business experience.

    More Information:
    More information can be found at the APICS CSCP web site.

 

 

APICS Pikes Peak Chapter Mission Statement
To be a premier source of education and information in the operations and materials management field within southern Colorado


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