DPI Online Learning Management System

This study guide forms part of the Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply qualification and will help you to explain methods of inventory management, inventory analysis and the concept of whole-life asset management costs.

On completion of this study guide you will:

• Understand methods for the storage and movement of inventory
• Understand the key elements of effective inventory control
• Understand the concept of through life cost

This study guide forms part of the Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply qualification will help you to identify approaches to achieving negotiated commercial agreement with external organisations.

On completion of this study guide you will:

• Understand key approaches in the negotiation of commercial agreements with external organisations
• Know how to prepare for negotiations with external organisations
• Understand how commercial negotiations should be undertaken

This study guide forms part of the Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply qualification and will help you to describe the key elements and legal aspects of formal commercial contracts.

On completion of this study guide you will:

• Understand the legal issues that relate to the formation of contracts
• Understand the fundamentals of specifications and key performance indicators that are included in contractual arrangements made with suppliers
• Understand the key clauses that are included informal contracts

Module purpose: On completion of this module, learners will be able to identify the key stakeholders in the application of the sourcing process and analyse the procurement cycle, evaluating the influence that procurement and supply has as a source of added value for the organisation.

Module aims: In any organisation, a significant proportion of costs are accounted for by the purchases of products and/or services, hence organisations see procurement and supply as a key contributor to their value added strategies. Equally, any organisation will also be managing the supply of products and/or services to their customers, be they internal or those from other external organisations, consumers or the general public. This module is designed using the CIPS Procurement Cycle as its basis. It will provide those who are interested in developing an informed awareness of different perspectives or approaches within the discipline, an overview of the key stages associated with procurement and supply and will serve as an introduction for those who are expected to address complex well-defined procurement and supply problems that are non-routine in nature.

The module also serves as the initial study for learners who are embarking on the CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply, hence coverage is limited to the definition of concepts and ideas as well as to the terminology used in procurement and supply, rather than detailed analysis, evaluation and practical application which will be a feature of later CIPS level 4 modules

Module purpose: On completion of this module, learners will be able to develop measures to ensure and improve contract performance as they assess the concept and use of strategic sourcing and also consider financial aspects that may impact procurement and supply activity.

Module aim: In any organisation, a significant element of the procurement and supply function is based around the contracting process. Those involved in the formulation and management of contracts with external suppliers must therefore have a clear understanding of the strategic nature of contractual performance measures in procurement and supply. Financial management refers to the efficient and effective management of money (funds) to accomplish organisational objectives.

 

·        This module is designed for those working in the procurement and supply field, with responsibility for contracting elements of the procurement and supply function who must also have a strategic awareness of the impact of financial aspects of their discipline.

 

This is an elective module in the Advanced Diploma. Module purpose: On completion of this module, learners will be able to evaluate approaches that can be adopted to develop category management of both direct and indirect organisational expenditure and plan for the associated strategic processes.

Module aim: Category management involves applying the end-to-end procurement process to a specific range of goods or services. This involves pre-award processes such as category analysis and demand management, sourcing and contract negotiation, and the post-award processes such as performance management. It is essential that those involved in managing procurement and supply activity can evaluate approaches to develop category management and are able to create process plans which ensure category management success.

This module is designed for those who have responsibility for category management as it focuses on the differing approaches for category management using the tools and techniques which are available to assist with the creation of the associated processes for direct or indirect expenditure.

Module purpose: On completion of this module, learners will be able to evaluate the legal and process issues relating to the formation of contracts and the legal implications of contractual nonconformance. They will also assess the impacts of breach of contract and examine coping remedies and provisions that are available under such circumstances.

Module aim:  As organisations outsource more and more activity it is vital that they ensure that the associated contracts deliver expected services and/or products. Hence, a fundamental area that those who are tasked with managing the procurement and supply function are faced with is the identification, monitoring and management of contractual risk. This module is designed to enable learners to examine the nature of contract risk and the associated legal implications that relate to contract formation and non-conformance. They will also consider the impact of breach of contract and coping strategies to address such breaches.

Module purpose: On completion of this module, learners will be able to appraise a variety of tools and techniques to establish the level of risk in supply chains and to recommend and apply ways of avoiding, mitigating or managing risk.

Module aim: Risk management is a central part of an organization’s strategy. It is a process whereby the organisation will identify, record and then address the risks associated with their activities with the aim of driving out or controlling those risks to the overall benefit of organisational efficiency and effectiveness. The supply chain is by its very nature a complex activity which is therefore susceptible to risk and its associated impacts.

This module is designed to enable learners to examine the nature of supply chain risk and to evaluate mitigation techniques which are available to them as they deal with the associated challenges. They will undertake risk analysis and consider the advantages of a risk register as they apply a range of appropriate risk management tools and techniques to the supply chain.

Module purpose: On completion of this module, learners will be able to understand the concepts of operations management that link to the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain and explain plans, designs, processes and systems for the improved control or improvement of supply chain operations.

Module aim: In order to ensure success an organisation must create and adopt processes that ensure the consistent production of products and/or services that meet customer demand, both in terms of quantity and quality. This is the responsibility of those who manage the supply chain operations function.

This module is designed to enable those involved in procurement and supply to assess techniques that are aimed at improving supply chain operations to the overall benefit of the organisation.