CPSD study plan
CPSD · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Supplier diversity program strategy and governance
Define the core components of a supplier diversity program strategy, including mission, scope, and integration with corporate values.
Identify the key roles and responsibilities of a supplier diversity governance structure (e.g., executive sponsor, program manager, cross-functional council).
Map the decision-making authority and escalation paths for supplier diversity initiatives within a typical organization.
Draft a one-page governance charter outline that specifies reporting lines and accountability.
Your checkpoint
A 1-page governance charter outline with at least 5 key roles and 3 decision-making processes.
Supplier diversity program strategy and governance & Stakeholder engagement, communications, and business case
Analyze how supplier diversity strategy aligns with overall procurement and business goals, including risk mitigation and innovation.
Develop a business case for supplier diversity that quantifies potential benefits (e.g., market access, cost savings, brand enhancement).
Identify internal and external stakeholders and their interests, and outline an engagement approach for each.
Create a communication plan template for promoting supplier diversity internally and externally.
Your checkpoint
A 2-page business case document with at least 3 quantified benefits and a stakeholder engagement matrix.
Supplier identification, qualification, and certification
Describe methods for identifying potential diverse suppliers, including databases, certifications, and outreach events.
Outline the qualification criteria for diverse suppliers, such as financial stability, capacity, and compliance with regulations.
Explain the certification process for different diverse supplier categories (e.g., minority-, women-, veteran-owned) and the role of third-party certifying bodies.
Compare at least three certification bodies and their requirements.
Your checkpoint
A supplier qualification checklist with at least 10 criteria and a comparison table of 3 certification bodies.
Sourcing, procurement, and contracting with diverse suppliers
Identify sourcing strategies that effectively include diverse suppliers, such as set-asides, tiered bidding, and unbundling of contracts.
Outline the steps in the procurement process and where to integrate supplier diversity considerations.
Describe contract clauses that support supplier diversity, including reporting requirements and subcontracting plans.
Develop a negotiation plan for contracting with a diverse supplier, addressing potential risks and capacity concerns.
Your checkpoint
A sample contract clause for supplier diversity reporting and a negotiation checklist with at least 5 points.
Supplier development, capacity building, and mentoring & Tier 2 / subcontracting spend reporting and advocacy
Design a supplier development program that includes mentoring, training, and capacity-building activities.
Explain the concept of Tier 2 subcontracting spend and its importance in supplier diversity programs.
Identify methods for tracking and reporting Tier 2 spend, including data collection and validation.
Create a mentoring plan outline for a diverse supplier, including objectives and timelines.
Your checkpoint
A Tier 2 spend reporting template with data fields and a mentoring plan outline for one supplier.
Regulatory, compliance, and ethical considerations
Summarize key regulations and compliance requirements related to supplier diversity (e.g., government contracting rules, anti-discrimination laws).
Identify ethical considerations in supplier diversity, such as avoiding tokenism and ensuring genuine opportunities.
Outline a compliance monitoring process for a supplier diversity program.
Develop a risk mitigation plan for common compliance issues.
Your checkpoint
A compliance checklist with at least 8 regulatory and ethical points and a risk mitigation plan for 3 scenarios.
Spend analytics, metrics, and program measurement
Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for supplier diversity programs, such as diverse spend percentage, number of diverse suppliers, and Tier 2 spend.
Explain how to collect, analyze, and report spend data accurately.
Create a dashboard mockup that visualizes supplier diversity metrics.
Calculate diverse spend percentage given sample data.
Your checkpoint
A metrics dashboard mockup with at least 5 KPIs and a sample calculation of diverse spend percentage.
Stakeholder engagement, communications, and business case & Supplier diversity program strategy and governance & Spend analytics, metrics, and program measurement
Develop a communication strategy to promote supplier diversity successes and lessons learned to stakeholders.
Review and synthesize all previous weeks' materials to create a cohesive program summary.
Practice explaining the business case for supplier diversity to an executive audience.
Identify areas for continuous improvement in a supplier diversity program.
Your checkpoint
A 5-minute presentation script and slides summarizing the supplier diversity program strategy, metrics, and business case.
Milestones
Week 2: Complete a draft business case and stakeholder engagement plan, validated by at least one peer or mentor.
Week 4: Successfully answer 80% of practice questions on Domains 1-3.
Week 6: Complete a compliance checklist and risk mitigation plan, reviewed for accuracy.
Week 8: Deliver a 5-minute presentation and score at least 85% on a full-length practice exam.