CSCM study plan

Define supply chain management and map the end-to-end flow of materials, information, and cash across plan-source-make-deliver-return.

Distinguish push, pull, and push-pull (hybrid) operating models and identify which fits a given product profile.

Explain how competitive strategy must align with supply chain strategy using the concepts of strategic fit and responsiveness versus efficiency.

Compare the core performance drivers (facilities, inventory, transportation, information, sourcing, pricing) and describe their trade-offs.

Apply segmentation frameworks (e.g., volume-based or service-based) to decide differentiated service levels by customer or product group.

Outline the source-to-pay process from need identification through contract close-out and payment.

Differentiate strategic, bottleneck, leverage, and routine purchases using spend and supply-risk analysis.

Calculate basic spend concentration metrics and interpret a Pareto (ABC) view of procurement spend.

Evaluate supplier selection criteria and build a weighted scoring model for a supplier award decision.

Distinguish RFI, RFQ, and RFP processes and select the appropriate instrument for a given purchase.

Describe supplier performance measurement using OTIF, quality/ppm, and cost-variance scorecards, and set escalation triggers.

Explain contract essentials (SLA, warranty, penalty, incoterms interface) and how they allocate risk between buyer and supplier.

Identify supplier development and collaboration levers, including early supplier involvement and joint improvement plans.

Distinguish qualitative, time-series, and causal forecasting methods and match each to a demand pattern.

Compute a moving average, weighted moving average, and simple exponential smoothing forecast by hand for a short data series.

Calculate and interpret forecast error metrics: MAD, MAPE, bias, and tracking signal.

Explain the role of S&OP in reconciling demand, supply, and financial plans, and describe a monthly S&OP cycle.

Identify demand-shaping levers and the effect of promotions and new-product introductions on forecast accuracy.

Build a master production schedule from a demand forecast and describe the role of the aggregate plan in leveling capacity.

Explain MRP logic: BOM explosion, lead-time offsetting, netting, and lot-sizing rules.

Compute basic capacity requirements and identify load-versus-capacity mismatches.

Classify inventory by type (cycle stock, safety stock, in-transit, seasonal, decoupling) and by function in the supply chain.

Calculate EOQ, reorder point with safety stock, and inventory turns, and interpret days of supply.

Apply ABC and XYZ classification to prioritize counting frequency and control effort.

Compare inventory valuation methods (FIFO, weighted average) and explain the effect of each on reported cost.

Describe the trade-off between transportation cost and inventory cost when choosing shipment size and mode.

Compare truckload, LTL, parcel, rail, air, and intermodal on cost, speed, and service characteristics.

Explain incoterms allocation of cost and risk and how freight terms affect landed cost.

Describe warehouse layout and slotting principles that reduce travel time and picking errors.

Compare picking strategies (discrete, batch, zone, wave) and match each to order profiles.

Explain receiving, put-away, cross-docking, and cycle counting as warehouse control processes.

Map the order-to-cash cycle and identify where order promising (ATP/CTP) and exception handling sit.

Define perfect order metrics (on-time, complete, damage-free, correct documentation) and calculate the metric from a sample.

Build a risk register covering supply, demand, operational, financial, and geopolitical categories with likelihood and impact ratings.

Distinguish mitigation strategies: buffering, dual sourcing, nearshoring, postponement, and visibility/control-tower practices.

Explain resilience concepts including time-to-recover, time-to-survive, and single-point-of-failure mapping.

Describe sustainability levers (emissions scoping, packaging reduction, supplier codes of conduct) and how they interact with cost and risk.

Synthesize all nine domains into a personal weak-area list and schedule targeted review.