Professional & Senior Manager (Level 6)
What the Level 6 exam tests
CMI Level 6 Professional and Senior Manager tests strategic analysis, business planning, governance, finance, innovation, change leadership and ethics across functions.
Core rules
- External analysis: PESTLE and Porter's five forces. Internal analysis: VRIO and the value chain.
- Ansoff matrix: market penetration, market development, product development, diversification.
- Investment appraisal: payback, accounting rate of return, NPV and IRR. NPV should use a risk-adjusted discount rate.
- Governance covers board roles, delegation, risk appetite and ethics.
- Stakeholder salience depends on power, legitimacy and urgency.
Worked example
A new market entry needs PESTLE, five forces, a capability check, strategic options, NPV with sensitivity analysis, a risk register and governance approval. Positive NPV alone is insufficient if strategic fit, capability and risk appetite fail.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing strategy with a detailed plan.
- Using NPV without risk adjustment.
- Ignoring implementation capability.
- Treating governance as bureaucracy.