Free Practice Questions for APICS CPIM-Part-2 Exam

Hedge is a risk management strategy that assumes that losses in one part of the supply chain will be offset by gains in another. Hedge is a method of reducing the exposure to price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, or other uncertainties by taking a position in a related market or asset that moves in the opposite direction. Hedge helps to protect the profitability and cash flow of the supply chain by locking in the prices or rates at a certain level. For example, a company that imports raw materials from another country may hedge against the exchange rate risk by buying a forward contract or an option that guarantees a fixed rate for the currency conversion.

The other options are not risk management strategies that assume that losses in one part of the supply chain will be offset by gains in another. Flexible is a risk management strategy that allows the supply chain to adapt to changing conditions and customer preferences by using multiple sources, modes, or routes. Fluctuation is not a risk management strategy, but a term that describes the variation or volatility of a market or asset over time. Speculative is not a risk management strategy, but a term that describes an activity or investment that involves a high degree of uncertainty or risk, with the expectation of earning a high return. References: CPIM Exam Content Manual Version 7.0, Domain 7: Plan and Manage Distribution, Section 7.1: Distribution Planning Concepts, p. 40; Hedging; Hedging Definition.

The production plan is a statement of the resources needed to meet the aggregate demand plan over a medium-term horizon. The production plan is the output of the supply planning step in the sales and operations planning (S&OP) process. The production plan relates to a firm’s financial planning because it is used to identify future cash needs. Cash needs are the amount of money that a firm requires to operate and grow its business. Cash needs can be influenced by various factors, such as sales revenue, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, capital expenditures, inventory levels, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and taxes. The production plan can help to estimate the cash inflows and outflows associated with these factors, and to determine the optimal balance between them. The production plan can also help to identify the potential sources and uses of cash, such as borrowing, investing, or paying dividends. By identifying future cash needs, the production plan can help to improve the firm’s liquidity, profitability, and solvency.

References: CPIM Exam Content Manual Version 7.0, Domain 4: Plan and Manage Supply, Section 4.1: Develop Supply Plans, Subsection 4.1.2: Describe how to develop a production plan (page 36).

Shop backlogs are the amount of work that has been ordered but not yet completed by a production facility1. Shop backlogs remain constant when the work input, which is the rate of incoming orders, equals the work output, which is the rate of finished products2. This means that the production facility is able to match the demand and supply of its products, and maintain a steady level of backlog. This can indicate that the production facility is operating efficiently and effectively, and has a stable market position.

The other options are not correct. Forecasts are updated on the basis of the longest lead time item means that the production facility uses the item that takes the longest time to produce as a reference for planning its future production3. This may help the production facility to avoid underestimating its capacity or overcommitting its resources, but it does not guarantee that the shop backlogs will remain constant, as it depends on the actual demand and supply of its products. Capacity is assumed to be infinite means that the production facility does not consider anylimitations or constraints on its ability to produce its products. This may help the production facility to simplify its production planning and scheduling, but it does not reflect the reality of its operations, and may lead to unrealistic expectations or poor performance. Shop orders are released at a steady rate means that the production facility releases a fixed number of orders to its shop floor at regular intervals. This may help the production facility to smooth out its production flow and reduce variability, but it does not ensure that the shop backlogs will remain constant, as it depends on the actual work input and output.

References : Backlog Definition, Implications, and Real-World Examples - Investopedia; Production Planning - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics; [Production Planning: Definition & Types | Study.com]; [Production Planning: Definition & Types | Study.com]; What is a Sprint Backlog? Create With Examples [2023] • Asana.

The inventory turns ratio is a financial metric that measures how efficiently a company manages its inventory. The inventory turns ratio is calculated by dividing the cost of goods sold (COGS) by the average inventory investment. The cost of goods sold is the direct cost of producing or purchasing the goods sold by the company. The average inventory investment is the average value of the inventory held by the company over a period of time. A higher inventory turns ratio indicates a higher inventory turnover and a lower inventory holding cost.

In this case, the company sold 8,400 units last year, and the unit cost is $207. Therefore, the cost of goods sold is:

COGS = Unit cost x Units sold = 207 x 8,400 = $1,738,800

The average inventory investment was $42,000. Therefore, the inventory turns ratio is:

Inventory turns ratio = COGS / Average inventory investment = 1,738,800 / 42,000 = 41.4

To express the inventory turns ratio as a whole number, we can round it to the nearest integer. Therefore, the inventory turns ratio is 5.

References: CPIM Exam Content Manual Version 7.0, Domain 5: Plan and Manage Inventory, Section 5.1: Develop Inventory Plans, Subsection 5.1.2: Describe how to develop an inventory policy (page 44).

The break-even point is the level of sales or output where the total revenue equals the total cost, and the profit is zero. The break-even point can be calculated in units or in dollars. To calculate the break-even point in units, the following formula can be used:

Break-even point in units = Fixed cost / (Selling price per unit - Variable cost per unit)

In this case, the fixed cost is $120,000, the selling price per unit is $20, and the variable cost per unit is $5. Plugging these values into the formula, we get:

Break-even point in units = 120,000 / (20 - 5) = 120,000 / 15 = 8,000

Therefore, the break-even point in units for Product X is 8,000. This means that the company needs to sell 8,000 units of Product X to cover its fixed and variable costs and make no profit or loss.

References: CPIM Exam Content Manual Version 7.0, Domain 8: Manage Quality, Continuous Improvement, and Technology, Section 8.1: Develop Quality and Continuous Improvement Plans, Subsection 8.1.2: Describe how to develop a business case for quality and continuous improvement initiatives (page 74).

Adopting a lean approach to manage supply chain throughput rather than a more traditional approach means that more capacity may be required. Throughput is the rate at which a system produces or processes its output. A lean approach is a philosophy that aims to eliminate waste and improve efficiency by focusing on customer value, continuous improvement, and pull systems. A traditional approach is a philosophy that relies on forecasting, push systems, and large batch sizes. A lean approach may require more capacity because it reduces inventory levels, buffers, and safety stocks, which may expose the system to more variability and uncertainty. More capacity may be needed to cope with fluctuations in demand or supply, and to maintain high service levels. A lean approach does not necessarily require less training, as it involves empowering employees, cross-training them, and involving them in problem-solving and improvement activities. A lean approach does not necessarily require more inventory, as it aims to minimize inventory and its associated costs. A lean approach does not necessarily result in longer cycle times, as it strives to reduce lead times, setup times, and waiting times. References: CPIM Exam Content Manual Version 7.0, Domain4: Plan and Manage Supply, Section 4.2: Supply Planning Methods, p. 26; Lean Manufacturing; Throughput.

Providing a realistic basis for setting internal performance targets can be accomplished through benchmarking. Benchmarking is a process of comparing one’s own performance, processes, or practices with those of other organizations that are recognized as leaders or best in class in a specific area. Benchmarking can help identify gaps, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in one’s own performance, as well as learn from the experiences and successes of others. Benchmarking can also help set realistic, achievable, and challenging goals and targets for improvement, based on external standards or benchmarks. Benchmarking can be done internally(within the same organization), externally (with other organizations in the same industry or sector), or functionally (with other organizations that perform similar functions or processes).

Beta testing is not a way of providing a realistic basis for setting internal performance targets. Beta testing is a stage of product development where a sample of potential users or customers test a product or service before it is released to the general public. Beta testing can help identify and fix any bugs, errors, or issues in the product or service, as well as collect feedback and suggestions for improvement. Beta testing can also help evaluate the usability, functionality, and quality of the product or service, as well as measure customer satisfaction and loyalty. Beta testing is not related to setting internal performance targets, as it is focused on the product or service, not the organization.

Breakthrough innovation is not a way of providing a realistic basis for setting internal performance targets. Breakthrough innovation is a type of innovation that creates significant value for customers and markets by introducing new products, services, or business models that are radically different from existing ones. Breakthrough innovation can help create competitive advantage, disrupt existing markets, or create new markets. Breakthrough innovation is not related to setting internal performance targets, as it is focused on the outcome, not the process.

Best practices are not a way of providing a realistic basis for setting internal performance targets. Best practices are methods or techniques that have been proven to be effective and efficient in achieving desired results or outcomes. Best practices can be derived from one’s own experience, research, or benchmarking. Best practices can help improve performance, quality, or productivity by adopting proven solutions or standards. Best practices are not related to setting internal performance targets, as they are focused on the implementation, not the measurement.

References := Benchmarking - Wikipedia, Benchmarking: Definition & Process | Study.com, What Is Benchmarking? Definition And Examples, What Is Beta Testing? Definition And Examples, What Is Breakthrough Innovation? Definition And Examples, What Are Best Practices? Definition And Examples

Ergonomic workstation design should incorporate the reduction of repetitive motion, as this can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue, and errors. Repetitive motion can cause strain on the muscles, tendons, and nerves, leading to pain, inflammation, and loss of function. Ergonomic workstation design can reduce repetitive motion by optimizing the layout of the workstation, tools, and materials, using automation or mechanization where possible, and varying the tasks performed by the worker. References: CPIM Part 2 Exam Content Manual, Domain 8: Manage Quality, Continuous Improvement, and Technology, Section A: Quality Management, Subsection 3: Quality Tools and Techniques, Page 37.

The change in level of work-in-process (WIP) inventory is the most appropriate indicator to evaluate the effectiveness of the detailed capacity planning processes for a firm that produces a moderate variety of products to stock in a single plant. Detailed capacity planning is the process of determining the quantity and timing of resources, such as labor, equipment, and materials, needed to execute the master production schedule (MPS) at the work center level1. The MPS is a plan that specifies the quantity and timing of end items to be produced in a given time period2. The change in level of WIP inventory is a measure of the difference between the amount of WIP inventory at the beginning and at the end of a period3. WIP inventory consists of partially completed products or components that are waiting for further processing or assembly.

The change in level of WIP inventory can indicate how well the detailed capacity planning processes are aligned with the MPS and the actual demand. A positive change in WIP inventory means that more products or components are being produced than consumed, which implies that there is excess capacity or insufficient demand. A negative change in WIP inventory means that more products or components are being consumed than produced, which implies that there is insufficient capacity or excess demand. A zero or minimal change in WIP inventory means that the production and consumption rates are balanced, which implies that there is optimal capacity and demand. Therefore, by monitoring the change in level of WIP inventory, the firm can evaluate whether its detailed capacity planning processes are effective in meeting customer needs and expectations, as well as minimizing inventory costs and maximizing resource utilization.

The other options are not as appropriate indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of the detailed capacity planning processes for a firm that produces a moderate variety of products to stock in a single plant. Units of output per direct labor hour is a measure of labor productivity, which indicates how efficiently labor is used to produce output. However, labor productivity does not reflect the effectiveness of detailed capacity planning processes, because it does not account for other factors that affect production, such as equipment, materials, quality, or demand. Percentage of master schedule attained is a measure of schedule performance, which indicates how well the actual production matches the planned production. However, schedule performance does not reflect the effectiveness of detailed capacity planning processes, because it does not account for other factors that affect production, such as capacity constraints, resource availability, or customer satisfaction. Level of finished goods inventory is a measure of inventory management, which indicates how much inventory is available to meet customer orders. However, finished goods inventory does not reflectthe effectiveness of detailed capacity planning processes, because it does not account for other factors that affect production, such as product variety, lead time, or quality.

References: Detail Capacity Planning - Capacity Planning - Gaebler.com Resources …; Master Production Schedule (MPS) Definition | Operations & Supply Chain Dictionary; Work-in-Process Inventory: Definition & Example - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com; [Work-in-Process (WIP) Definition - Investopedia]; [Labor Productivity Definition - Investopedia]; [Labor Productivity: Definition & Statistics - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com]; [Schedule Performance Index (SPI) Definition - Investopedia]; [Schedule Performance Index (SPI) & Cost Performance Index (CPI) in Project Cost Management]; [Finished Goods Inventory: Definition & Formula - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com]; [Finished Goods Inventory: Definition & Example - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com].