Get CIPS L4M2 Exam Practice Questions - Real and Updated

Answer : A

Answer : D

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (paraphrased from CIPS L4M2 content)

CIPS L4M2 clearly distinguishes between conformance and performance specifications.

A conformance specification describes exactly what the item must be like -- dimensions, materials, design drawings, tolerances, etc.

It is appropriate when the buyer already has a detailed design and simply wants the supplier to manufacture to that design.

In this scenario:

The buyer's organisation has designed the specialist item and has a detailed specification.

They cannot manufacture it in-house, but they need the item exactly as designed.

This is precisely when CIPS says a conformance specification is appropriate: the purpose is to ensure the supplier delivers exactly what has been specified and that the item meets all the buyer's technical and functional requirements.

Option D matches this principle exactly.

Option A mentions cost-effectiveness, which might happen, but it is not the main reason for using conformance specifications.

Options B and C describe issues that are either irrelevant or are more associated with over-specification or missed innovation opportunities, not with the basic correctness of using conformance specifications in this situation.

Relevant CIPS L4M2 areas:

Types of specification: conformance vs performance vs outcome

When to use buyer-designed (conformance) specifications

Risks and benefits of restricting supplier design freedom

Answer : C

Explanation

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a method to transform qualitative user demands into quantitative parameters, to deploy the functions forming quality, and to deploy methods for achieving the design quality into subsystems and component parts, and ultimately to specific elements of the manufacturing process.

Kano model of excitement and basic quality (Kano et al, 1984; Berger et al, 1993; Matzler et al, 1996) brings a different perspective for the analysis of improvement opportunities in products and services because it takes in consideration the asymmetrical and non-linear relationship between performance and satisfaction. The Kano model classifies customers requirements in five categories: basic requirements, performance requirements, attractive requirements, indifferent requirements and reverse requirements.

Mendelow's Matrix is a tool that may be used by an organisation to consider the attitude of their stakeholders at the start of a project or when they are setting out strategic objectives.

The Thomas Kilmann model identifies two dimensions when choosing a course of action in a con-flict situation, these are assertiveness and cooperativeness. Assertiveness is the degree to which you try to satisfy your own needs. Cooperativeness is the degree to which you try to satisfy the other person's concerns.

LO 1, AC 1.2

Answer : A

Explanation

Statement of Work (SoW) is the document that captures and defines all aspects of your project. You'll note the activities, deliverables and the timetable for the project. It's an extremely detailed document as it will lay the groundwork for the project plan.

Project Initial Document is an important document and should precede any specification writing project. It sets out the scope of the project and it is the team's mandate from senior management

Work instructions are also called work guides, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), job aids or user manuals, depending on the situation. In any case, the purpose of work instructions is to clearly explain how a particular work task is performed.

Framework agreements are arrangements between one or more buyers and one or more suppliers that provide the terms governing contracts to be established for a certain period of time, in particular with regard to price and, where necessary, the quantity envisaged.

LO 3, AC 3.1

Answer : A

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (from CIPS L4M2 -- Business Case Development)

A robust business case must:

Quantify costs and risks (financial, operational, environmental).

Identify and justify business benefits (savings, value, compliance, performance).

Supplier lists or informal notes are not appropriate inclusions.

Thus, Option A (1 and 3 only) is correct.

Relevant L4M2 references:

''Structure and content of a business case''

''Cost, risk, and benefit evaluation in justification''