CPIM-Part-2 Exam Questions and Answers

QUESTION: 6

A benefit of the ISO 9000 series of specifications is that:

suppliers are approved automatically for use by all purchasers.
purchasers may accept 130 certifications, minimizing additional surveys.
the need for supplemental surveys and supplier visits is eliminated.
the responsibility for supplier auditing and selection can be outsourced.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

A benefit of the ISO 9000 series of specifications is that purchasers may accept ISO 9001 certifications, minimizing additional surveys. ISO 9001 is the standard within the ISO 9000 family that specifies the requirements for a quality management system (QMS) that an organization must fulfill to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements1. ISO 9001 certification is a third-party verification that an organization has implemented and maintained a QMS that conforms to the ISO 9001 standard2. By obtaining ISO 9001 certification, an organization can provide objective evidence of its quality performance to its customers, suppliers, regulators, and other stakeholders3. This can reduce the need for additional audits or surveys by the purchasers, as they can rely on the ISO 9001 certification as a proof of quality assurance4. This can save time, money, and resources for both the purchasers and the suppliers, as well as improve their trust and confidence in each other5.

Reference:

1: ISO 9000 Vs. 9001 3 2: ISO 9000 Standard: Benefits, How to Achieve 4 3: The Ultimate Guide to ISO 9000 5 4: ISO 9000 Certification Guide 1 5: ISO - Selection and use of the ISO 9000 family of standards 6

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QUESTION: 7

In the supplier selection process, what will be the potential advantages of multiple sourcing?

Long relationship and short lead times
More supplier options and better product development
Lower price and reduced risk
Mutual trust and cooperation

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Multiple sourcing is an outsourcing approach in which products or services are contracted to various suppliers needed to conduct the business instead of using traditional single sourcing1. One of the potential advantages of multiple sourcing is that it can lower the price of the products or services, as it creates competition among the suppliers and gives the buyer more bargaining power2. Another potential advantage of multiple sourcing is that it can reduce the risk of supply disruptions, as it diversifies the supply chain and makes the buyer less dependent on any single supplier3. If one supplier fails to deliver due to unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, political instability, or quality issues, the buyer can switch to another supplier or use a combination of suppliers to meet the demand4. Therefore, multiple sourcing can provide lower price and reduced risk as potential advantages in the supplier selection process.

Reference:

1: Multi-Sourcing: Everything You Need To Know - SupplierGATEWAY 3 2: Dual sourcing:
Advantages and disadvantages - Hermes Supply Chain Blog 4 3: The Case for Making Multiple Suppliers Part of Your Supply Chain Strategy 5 4: Using Multi-Sourcing to Diversify the Supply Chain 6

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QUESTION: 8

Which of the following actions best supports a company's strategic focus on delivery speed to improve competitive advantage?

Maintaining high-capacity utilization
Developing flexible operations
Cross-training workers
Implementing rapid process improvements

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Developing flexible operations is the best action that supports a company's strategic focus on delivery speed to improve competitive advantage. Flexible operations are the ability to adapt to changes in customer demand, product mix, quality standards, and delivery schedules1. Flexible operations can help a company achieve faster delivery speed by enabling it to respond quickly and efficiently to fluctuations in the market, reduce lead times, optimize resource utilization, and avoid bottlenecks2. Flexible operations can also help a company gain a competitive edge by offering a wider variety of products or services, different volumes or quantities, and varying delivery dates to meet customer needs and expectations3.

Some examples of flexible operations are:
Volume flexibility: the ability to produce different quantities or volumes of output3 Delivery flexibility: the ability to change the timings or modes of delivery3 Product flexibility: the ability to produce different types or variants of products or services4 Process flexibility: the ability to use different methods or technologies to perform a process4 Resource flexibility: the ability to use different inputs or resources for a process4 Some strategies for developing flexible operations are:
Using modular design: designing products or services that consist of interchangeable components or modules that can be easily assembled or disassembled5
Implementing automation: using machines or software to perform tasks that would otherwise require human labor6
Adopting lean principles: eliminating waste and non-value-added activities from processes, such as overproduction, inventory, defects, waiting, transportation, motion, and overprocessing7 Applying agile methods: using iterative and incremental approaches to deliver products or services that meet changing customer requirements and feedback
Cross-training workers: training workers to perform multiple tasks or roles within a process or organization

Reference:

1: Operations Flexibility Definition 2 2: Why flexibility is critical when planning an operations - KPMG 4 3: Performance Objectives - What Are the 5 Business Objectives? - PeopleGoal 1 4: Competitive Priorities in Operations with Examples - StudiousGuy 5 5: Modular Design Definition 6: Automation Definition 7: Lean Principles Definition : Agile Methodology Definition : Cross-training Definition

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QUESTION: 9

A reduction in purchased lot sizes will reduce which of the following items?

Inventory levels
Frequency of orders
Reorder points (ROPs)
Setup times

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

A reduction in purchased lot sizes will reduce inventory levels. Purchased lot sizes are the quantities of inventory that a stage of the supply chain either produces or purchases at a given time1. Inventory levels are the amount of stock available throughout the distribution network2. By reducing the purchased lot sizes, a company can lower the amount of inventory it holds, which can reduce the inventory costs, such as holding costs, shortage costs, and order costs3. Holding costs are the costs associated with storing and maintaining inventory, such as rent, utilities, insurance, taxes, depreciation, and obsolescence4. Shortage costs are the costs incurred when demand exceeds supply, such as lost sales, customer dissatisfaction, and backorder costs4. Order costs are the costs involved in placing and receiving orders, such as transportation, inspection, setup, and administrative costs4.
Reducing the purchased lot sizes can lower the holding costs by decreasing the average inventory in the supply chain due to either production or purchases in lot sizes that are larger than those demanded by the customer1. This is also known as cycle inventory1. Reducing the purchased lot sizes can also lower the shortage costs by increasing the frequency of orders and decreasing the lead time between orders5. This can help avoid stockouts and meet customer demand more consistently. Reducing the purchased lot sizes can also lower the order costs by optimizing the order quantity based on the trade-off between holding costs and order costs. This is also known as economic order quantity (EOQ).
Therefore, a reduction in purchased lot sizes will reduce inventory levels and inventory costs.

Reference:

1: Chapter 11 Flashcards by Amy Horton 3 2: Optimal Inventory Levels: Calculate & Manage Your Stock Levels 2 3: Inventory Levels Explained: The Highs & Lows Of Optimal Stock 1 4:
Economic Order Quantity Model in Inventory Management 4 5: Dual sourcing: Advantages and disadvantages : Economic Order Quantity: What Does It Mean and Who Is It For5

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QUESTION: 10

Which of the following strategies can improve the effectiveness of a company's customer value proposition and enhance its differentiation in the market?

Relocate high-cost activities to other geographic areas.
Outsource activities to outside vendors or contractors.
Invest in productivity enhancing technological improvements.
Adopt best practices that improve product design.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

A customer value proposition (CVP) is a statement that summarizes the benefits that a product or service offers to a target customer segment1. A CVP can help a company differentiate itself from its competitors by highlighting its unique value proposition (UVP), which is the main reason why customers should choose its product or service over others2. A CVP can also help a company communicate its value to its customers, increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, and improve its market position3.
One of the strategies that can improve the effectiveness of a CVP and enhance its differentiation in the market is to adopt best practices that improve product design. Product design is the process of creating a new product or service that solves a customer problem or fulfills a customer need4. By improving product design, a company can create products or services that are more desirable, feasible, and viable for its customers5. Some of the best practices that can improve product design are:
Understanding the customer: conducting research and analysis to identify the customer segments, their jobs, pains, and gains, and their expectations and preferences. This can help create products or services that are tailored to the customer needs and wants, and deliver value that exceeds their expectations.
Using the Value Proposition Canvas: a tool that helps design, test, create, and manage products and services that customers actually want. The Value Proposition Canvas consists of two parts: the Customer Profile, which describes the customer segment in terms of their jobs, pains, and gains; and the Value Map, which describes how the product or service creates value for the customer by addressing their jobs, relieving their pains, and creating their gains. The Value Proposition Canvas can help align the product or service with the customer needs and wants, and create a fit between them. Applying design thinking: a human-centered approach to innovation that integrates the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements of business. Design thinking involves five phases: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Design thinking can help create products or services that are desirable for the customers, feasible for the technology, and viable for the business.
Incorporating feedback loops: collecting and analyzing data from customers and stakeholders to measure the performance and impact of the product or service. Feedback loops can help validate the assumptions and hypotheses about the customer needs and wants, test the effectiveness of the value proposition, and identify areas for improvement or innovation. Therefore, by adopting best practices that improve product design, a company can create products or services that deliver superior value to its customers, and differentiate itself from its competitors in the market.

Reference:

1: Customer Value Proposition Definition 3 2: Unique Value Proposition Definition 4 3:

How to Write a Value Proposition (+ 6 Modern Examples) 5 4: Product Design Definition 5: What is Product Design? : Customer Discovery: The Ultimate Guide : Value Proposition Canvas Download the Official Template 3 : What is Design Thinking? : Feedback Loop Definition

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APICS CPIM-Part-2 Exam (page: 2) APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (Part 2) Updated on: 07-Feb-2026

QUESTION: 6

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QUESTION: 7

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QUESTION: 8

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QUESTION: 9

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QUESTION: 10

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APICS CPIM-Part-2 Exam (page: 2)
APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (Part 2)
Updated on: 07-Feb-2026