Free CIPS L4M6 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 3

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

In scenarios requiring specialized expertise and collaborative input, apartnering relationshipis most appropriate. This type of relationship fosters close cooperation, shared goals, and mutual trust, enabling both parties to contribute effectively to the project's success.

Explanation

Stationary is a routine item; it is ordered often (as Barry uses different suppliers), it is a low category spend, and low risk to the business' operations (a late delivery of pens isn't going to stop the company making its biscuits). There are lots of questions on Kraljic in the exam - do revise this topic and ensure you understand each of the four quadrants of the matrix (see p.20)

Using Kraljic’s Portfolio Matrix, CIPS classifies items based on:

Financial impact

Supply risk

Engines have:

High financial value

High supply risk, as production cannot proceed without them

This places the supplier firmly in the strategic quadrant, requiring close relationship management, risk mitigation, and long-term collaboration.

L4M6 Reference:

Learning Outcome 2: Understand supply positioning and risk

Topic: Kraljic portfolio analysis

CIPS L4M6 Study Guide – Strategic items and supplier relationships

Selection criteria focus on the supplier’s capability and experience (e.g., method statements). Award criteria are used to evaluate and compare proposals during the tender process, such as price or environmental considerations.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Obtaining multiple quotations for contracts over a certain value ensures that the organization assesses various options, promoting competition and transparency. This practice helps in achieving value for money by comparing different suppliers' offerings.

Explanation

The correct answer is TUPE: Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment). Details on TUPE can be found on p.115

Competitive dialogue is the most appropriate method for complex, high-value procurements where requirements cannot be fully defined at the outset. This process allows dialogue with shortlisted bidders to refine specifications and negotiate solutions before awarding. CIPS states that this procedure is particularly suited for projects requiring flexibility, multiple negotiation phases, and innovative input from suppliers.

Understanding customer price expectations and the potential for substitute technology are critical in product development to anticipate market trends and competitive threats, aligning with risk management principles.

Shortening product life cycles require close collaboration and innovation between buyer and supplier to stay competitive. Partnership sourcing provides shared development, reduced lead times, and improved responsiveness. Stable markets or falling costs do not justify partnerships; they are best suited for high-risk, fast-changing environments.

CIPS defines value for money (VFM) as achieving the optimal balance between cost, quality, and sustainability over the whole life of the requirement.

Public sector procurement is governed by principles of:

Transparency

Fairness

Accountability

Best use of public funds

VFM does not mean lowest price; it means best outcome for the organisation and taxpayers, which includes quality, risk, and whole-life cost.

L4M6 Reference:

Learning Outcome 1: Understand objectives of procurement and supply

Topic: Public sector procurement objectives

CIPS L4M6 Study Guide – Value for money and public accountability