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CIPS Exam Report for Learner Community:

Qualification:
Unit:
Exam series:

Professional diploma in procurement and supply


PD2 - Corporate and business stratergy
May 2015

Question 1 Learning Outcome 1


Evaluate the main approaches or models for the development of strategy in
organisations

25 marks

Learning Outcome(s) covered by these questions: 1.3


Command word: in this question it was Evaluate here we were looking for candidates to judge and value
the importance of the main approaches or models for the development of strategy.
Examples of good content/good approaches: (1) Solid evaluation of either or approaches or models at the
development stage of strategy formulation within organisations; (2) Putting in real life examples throughout
the response as appropriate and in logical sequence to points made; (3) Showing a good understanding of this
phase of the strategic management process; (4) Its importance to overall effectiveness with the organisation;
(5) Demonstration of wider reading beyond the study guide; (6) Awareness of current models, typologies or
descriptors in relation to the development of strategy; (7) Clear understanding and articulation of the three
schools of thought Rational Planning; Logical Incrementalism and Emergent Strategy.
Examples of poorer content/poorer approaches: (1) Crucially here candidates who did least well treated this
answer to very short one paragraph descriptions with limited demonstration of evaluation; (2) The overuse of
STEEPLE in a generic sense not linking outcomes/oberservations to the development of strategy in
organisations; (3) non adherence to the command word set in this question. (4) Discussion on the strategic
management process as a whole to fill out the answer as opposed to focussing in on the development phase
specifically.
Overall though most candidates did pass but too many candidates did so marginally leaving little wriggle
room. However there were exceptions to this with some excellent responses that were balanced and
contextualised well in an organisational setting, although not directly asked for was one very good way to add
depth to the answers given.

Question 2 Learning Outcome 2


Evaluate the impact of internationalisation upon the operations of a supply chain of
your choice.

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(25 marks)

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Learning Outcome(s) covered by the question: 2.3


Command word: in this question it was Evaluation here we were looking for candidates to account for the
impact of the concept of internationalisation on a supply chain of their choosing.
Examples of good content/good approaches to answers: (1) Commencing their response with a paragraph at
most acknowledging an organisational setting or industry sector; (2) Going to evaluate the points made
and/or discussed; (3) Good answers were structured in the approach taken putting in credible examples to
illustrate the points being made; (4) Giving a solid understanding of the term internationalisation.
Examples of poorer content/poorer approaches in answers: (1) Again, as a recurring theme too many
candidates failed to write to the command word down grading it to a mere descriptive answer and thus lost
marks due to lack of depth and scope; (2) Overly tactical responses without a real understanding of the
strategic implications; (3) No understanding of the impacts on a supply chain; (4) No organisational setting
and/or Industry setting which was an auto fail.
As was the case in Question 1 most candidates did pass but too many candidates did so marginally leaving
little wriggle room. However on a more positive note there were amongst the scripts some outstanding
answers here contributing to those candidates achieving Merit grades even Distinctions.

Question 3 Learning Outcome 3


An organisation may seek to align the structure of its procurement function with the
structure of the supply chains within which it operates.
(1) Discuss the importance of this alignment for the organisation
(2) Discuss the structural options that may be available to the organisation

(10 marks)
(15 marks)

Learning Outcome covered by the question was 3.1


Command word: in this question in both parts it was Discuss here we were looking for candidates to
describe and fully explain in part (a) the importance of alignment and in part (b) the structural options
available.
Examples of good content/good approaches to answers: (1) Recognising the impact of the command word
Discuss; (2) Putting in sufficient justification for each point being made: (3) Recognising the right balance
between the marks on offer for each part of the question; (4) More specifically in Part (a) properly addressing
strategy to structure of an organisation that was named to add to contextualisation; (5) Linking a type of
strategic direction to the way Procurement and a supply chain will operate giving illustrations; (6) Linking
functions having an important role in achieving the strategic imperatives of the organisation; (7) Citing
appropriate models such as the S for Structure in Lysons & Farringtons application of procurement and
supply chain implications to the McKinsey 7S Framework; (8) More specifically in Part (b) the strategic
objectives of the procurement and supply chain functions; the size, nature and role of procurement in the

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organisation; the structure and environment within which procurement and supply chain management
operates; (8) Appropriate illustrations of structural options to the way answers were written.
Examples of poorer content/poorer approaches in answers: (1) Candidates applying the command word
wrongly (2) Lack of sufficient depth to each of the factors described as a result of putting in too many and
ones which were quite frankly remote considerations as opposed to the more recognised ones as studied
within this Unit; (3) Short responses.

Question 4 Learning Outcome 4


(a) A company has taken a strategic decision to utilise new technology solutions
to manage information within its supply chain more effectively. Examine the
strategic importance of such a decision.
(b) Discuss the factors that management might consider in developing a plan to
implement this strategy.

(13 marks)

(12 marks)

Learning Outcome(s) covered by the question in both parts were : 3.2 & 4.2
Command words: in this question in the command word was Examine in Part (a) which is to examine a topic
and make judgements in this case how an organisations supply chain can become more effective through the
utilisation of new technology and in the case of Part (b) the command word was Discuss here we were
looking for candidates to fully explain the factors that management might consider in developing a plan to
implement the strategy discussed in Part (a).
Examples of good content/good approaches to Part (a) answers: (1) Candidates chose to illustrate their
points made with an example either from their organisation or that of another organisation named, this
added greatly to the understanding they demonstrated in this question (2) Candidates used the command
word correctly; (3) Reinforced within their answers how technology can change or modify the supply chain
and procurement practices for the better; (3) Introducing answers with a generic aspect of information as a
strategic resource; (4) Discussing around as appropriate application of different types of information systems
such as databases; management information systems; ERP and EDI, intranets and mobile communications.
Examples of good content/good approaches to Part (b) answers: (1) How aspects for developing a plan for
implementing the chosen strategy would include aspects of rational versus emergent models of planning or
intended and realised strategy; (2) Risk Analysis would have been appropriate to discuss as well as risk
avoidance measures including but not limited to capital investment risks; market surveys; vendor analysis;
reliability; ethical issues (stakeholder discussions) and security risks; (3) Planning might also include amongst
other appropriate aspects: project budget; staff training; disruption costs; contingency planning etc.,
Examples of poorer content/poorer approaches in answers in relation to both parts of this question: (1)
Lack of depth & scope; (2) Command word ignored; (3) Over-reliance on theory with little application giving
of a credible example in support was lacking in the poor responses; (4) Cursory responses; (5) Poor exam
technique including poor layout and structure to the answer and non use of introductions and conclusions.

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