CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma study plan
CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Procurement and Supply Management & Commercial and Legal Aspects of Procurement
Map the end-to-end procurement cycle and write a one-page definition of each stage, from needs identification to contract close-out, citing at least two alternative models.
Explain the difference between procurement, purchasing, and sourcing, and give two workplace examples of each.
Summarise the main UK/EU legal frameworks that shape procurement (contract law basics, competition law, bribery, modern slavery) and note where they overlap.
Build a glossary of 30 core terms (tender, RFQ, ITT, framework agreement, PQQ, award criteria) with a one-line definition and an example for each.
Draft a 10-question self-test on procurement process and legal basics and score yourself without notes.
Your checkpoint
A 1,200-word 'Procurement Foundations' note containing the process map, the legal framework summary, and the 30-term glossary.
Category Management
Apply a spend analysis method (Pareto, Kraljic, or segmentation by risk and value) to a hypothetical organisational spend dataset and classify at least 12 categories.
Produce a category profile for one high-spend category, covering demand drivers, supply market structure, cost drivers, and value levers.
Develop a category strategy for that category using the 5-step category management cycle and justify each sourcing lever chosen.
Compare three supplier relationship models (transactional, preferred, strategic partnership) and recommend one for the chosen category with reasons.
Identify five KPIs that would measure category strategy success and explain how each would be collected.
Your checkpoint
A category strategy pack for one category: spend segmentation table, category profile, strategy on a page, and KPI dashboard design.
Negotiation and Contract Management
Prepare a negotiation plan for a realistic scenario, including objectives, tradeables, BATNA, ZOPA estimate, and concession strategy.
Explain the difference between distributive and integrative negotiation and apply at least three tactics to the scenario.
Describe the main contract structures (fixed price, cost-plus, time and materials, framework call-off) and state when each is appropriate.
Draft a contract management plan covering performance reviews, change control, dispute escalation, and exit provisions.
Critique two common contract clauses (limitation of liability, termination) for commercial risk and write an improved version of one.
Your checkpoint
A negotiation and contract management pack: one-page negotiation plan, clause critique, and a contract management plan with review calendar.
Supply Chain and Logistics Management & Strategic Supply Chain Management
Map a typical supply chain for one product from tier-2 supplier to end customer, identifying flows of goods, information, and cash.
Explain the bullwhip effect, its causes, and three mitigation techniques, using a numerical example.
Compare inventory models (EOQ, safety stock, vendor-managed inventory) and calculate a reorder point for a given demand and lead-time scenario.
Describe the role of Incoterms in international logistics and match five common terms to risk transfer points.
Evaluate two supply chain design choices (centralised vs decentralised distribution, make vs buy) against cost, service, and resilience criteria.
Your checkpoint
A 1,500-word supply chain case analysis with a flow map, a worked inventory calculation, and a recommendation on one design choice.
Strategic Supply Chain Management & Risk Management and Sustainability
Explain the difference between strategic, tactical, and operational supply chain planning and give one example of each in a procurement context.
Identify five supply chain risks from a chosen scenario and score them on likelihood and impact using a risk matrix.
Propose mitigation actions for the top three risks, including contract levers, supplier development, and contingency planning.
Summarise the key elements of a sustainability programme in procurement (codes of conduct, supplier audits, carbon reporting, circularity) and assess their commercial impact.
Evaluate one supplier's sustainability performance using a simple scorecard you design.
Your checkpoint
A risk and sustainability register for one supply chain: risk matrix with mitigations, plus a supplier sustainability scorecard with a scored example.
Leadership and Management in Procurement
Explain the difference between leadership and management and describe three leadership styles with procurement examples.
Design a stakeholder engagement plan for a cross-functional sourcing project, mapping influence and interest.
Draft a team development plan that addresses skills gaps in a procurement team, including coaching and performance review actions.
Prepare a business case for a procurement change initiative, covering benefits, costs, risks, and an implementation timeline.
Practise giving structured feedback using a recognised model and write two example feedback scripts.
Your checkpoint
A leadership portfolio: stakeholder map, team development plan, and a 1-page business case for a procurement improvement initiative.
Procurement and Supply Management & Category Management & Negotiation and Contract Management & Supply Chain and Logistics Management & Commercial and Legal Aspects of Procurement & Strategic Supply Chain Management & Leadership and Management in Procurement & Risk Management and Sustainability
Complete a timed 60-question mixed mock exam covering all eight domains and record your score by domain.
Review every incorrect answer and write a short note explaining the correct concept and why you missed it.
Revisit the two weakest domains and produce a one-page revision sheet for each.
Rehearse three exam-style essay or case questions under timed conditions and self-mark against a structure checklist.
Update your glossary and formula sheet with any gaps found during the mock.
Your checkpoint
A mock exam results log with domain scores, error analysis notes, and two new revision sheets.
Procurement and Supply Management & Category Management & Negotiation and Contract Management & Supply Chain and Logistics Management & Commercial and Legal Aspects of Procurement & Strategic Supply Chain Management & Leadership and Management in Procurement & Risk Management and Sustainability
Complete a second full timed mock exam and compare domain scores with week 7 to confirm improvement.
Consolidate all revision sheets, glossaries, and formula sheets into a single 10-page exam-ready summary.
Practise explaining five complex concepts aloud in under two minutes each, as if teaching a colleague.
Confirm exam logistics (date, format, permitted materials, ID requirements) and plan the final 48 hours of light revision.
Set a personal exam-day strategy covering time allocation per question and a plan for handling difficult questions.
Your checkpoint
A final 10-page revision summary plus a written exam-day strategy and a before/after mock score comparison.
Milestones
Week 2: You can explain the full category management cycle from memory and have produced a category strategy pack that another procurement professional could follow without further explanation.
Week 4: You score at least 60% on a self-made 30-question test drawn from domains 1-6, and your supply chain case analysis includes a correct inventory calculation and a justified design recommendation.
Week 6: You have completed a full leadership portfolio and can describe how you would manage a difficult stakeholder and a poor-performing team member in a procurement setting.
Week 7: Your first full mock exam score is recorded by domain, and you have written an error analysis for every incorrect answer.
Week 8: Your second mock exam shows improvement in at least four domains and no domain below 50%, and your 10-page summary is complete and usable for final revision.