Professional Qualifications in Advanced Purchasing & Supply MIIAPS MIIAPS Professional Membership IIAPS International Institute for Advanced Purchasing & Supply
Belts Qualifications, Professional Membership & Entry Requirements The International Institute for Advanced Purchasing & Supply (IIAPS) is dedicated to the raising of international standards in the broad areas of procurement, purchasing and supply, and supply chain management. IIAPS provides competence assessment and benchmarking tools to allow organisations and individuals to benchmark themselves, both against world-class and best-in-class standards within their own industry or sector. IIAPS also undertakes research into best practice and organise events in its three operational regions (Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific) to make annual Awards for outstanding work in the discipline and also to share best practice. The goal of IIAPS is the establishment of an advanced international standard for procurement, purchasing and supply, and supply chain professionals worldwide. IIAPS awards the International Green, Red and Black Belts in Advanced Purchasing & Supply. These three qualifications are the world s first advanced international professional standards in procurement, purchasing and supply, and supply chain management. MIIAPS To ensure the maintenance of an advanced and internationally recognised professional standard, it is not possible to obtain Professional Membership (MIIAPS) without completing the relevant advanced training programmes provided by the Institute, developing and implementing a real category strategy and explaining how this compares to world-class practices. This ensures that all members have completed the same rigorous course of study, and have been assessed and examined to the same exacting standard globally. It is not possible, as is the case with some national professional bodies, to become a member of the Institute (MIIAPS) by undertaking an interview, through taking another course of study, or by following a variety of very different training methods and routes. These practices lead to a dilution and fragmentation of standards. Full Professional Membership (MIIAPS) is only open to candidates who have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or other relevant professional qualifications (MCIPS, CPM, CPSM etc.), as well as relevant work experience and/or a GMAT Score of 630 or above, and who have completed the three International Green, Red and Black Belts in Advanced Purchasing & Supply. The routes to obtaining our Advanced Professional Qualifications and Full Professional Membership (MIIAPS) are described in what follows. 2
MIIAPS and the International Green, Red & Black Belts in Advanced Purchasing & Supply The International Green, Red and Black Belts in Advanced Purchasing & Supply are delivered and assessed through the development and implementation of real-life category strategies. This leads to the development of advanced competence in the identification, and subsequent implementation, of category management & strategic sourcing. The student has to participate in a QV Value Improvement and Strategic Sourcing Challenge Workshop, and develop a first detailed QV Report on the options for the subsequent implementation of selected value for money and cost reduction strategies with suppliers and supply chains. The selected category strategy is then taken forward for implementation. On award of the contract, the student compiles a second detailed QV Report for IIAPS assessment explaining what work was undertaken, and why, and with what results. The student has to explain how this compares to a world-class category management and strategic sourcing process. 1. THE QV VALUE IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOP AND DETAILED REPORTS FOR ASSESSMENT The QV Value Improvement and Strategic Sourcing Challenge Workshop is always focused on challenging real-life category strategies. The 2-Day QV Workshop, which brings together internal clients (who design and specify requirements) and PSCM strategy leads to identify the key demand and supply factors impinging on current VFM performance. QV Value Improvement and Strategic Sourcing Challenge Workshop QV Workshop Template Slides QV Detailed Report on Sourcing Improvement Opportunities 3
Using IIAPS strategic sourcing methodologies the QV Value Improvement Workshop provides a robust challenge to the selected category sourcing strategy, and leads to the development of a Detailed QV Report on future potential strategic and tactical options to significantly improve value for money (VFM) and enhanced quality, cost and delivery (QCD) performance. The basic structure of the 2-Day Challenge Workshop, with Detailed Report, is outlined below. The two Assessment Reports are assessed by the Institute and if completed to the required standards the student is awarded the International Green, Red and Black Belts in Advanced Purchasing & Supply. The category analysed within the QV Value Improvement Workshop for the International Green Belt can be an indirect or direct supply item. Red and Black Belts are only awarded for category strategies for direct supply items. 2. DEMONSTRATING THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL COMPETENCE THROUGHOUT THE STRATEGIC SOURCING PROCESS International Green, Red and Black Belt candidates are trained, and then assessed, in their ability to undertake (in real-time ) the key pre-contractual and post-contractual activities and tasks that are required to demonstrate world-class competence in category management and strategic sourcing. Students cannot achieve a pass mark in these advanced qualifications merely by being lucky about the questions posed in an examination. Candidates have to complete a series of assessment reports, but they also have to demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of every aspect of purchasing and supply management, both pre- and post-contractually. 4
The Categor y Management and Strategic Sourcing process, which the QV Value Improvement Workshop guides the student through, is divided into 8 Steps. These cover all of the major and tasks that must be managed to demonstrate world-class competence in purchasing and supply management. The 8-Steps covered by the tool are shown in the graphic to the right. 3. ASSESSING ADVANCED COMPETENCE During the QV Value Improvement Workshop for Green Belt award, candidates are initially guided by IIAPS staff through the development of a Category Strategy, to enhace their understanding of the key activities and tasks required of a world-class purchasing and supply manager. In addition to performance in the Workshop, advanced competence is assessed by the development of a number of QV Repor ts. QV REPORTS When undertaking the International Green, Red and Black Belt Qualifications candidates have to to demonstrate advanced competence in world-class Category Management and Strategic Sourcing. For the Green Belt award only, the candidate has to work with IIAPS to lead the QV Value Improvement Workshop, and then explain the possible Strategic Sourcing Options for Improvements in Value for Money and Cost Reduction with Suppliers and Supply Chains in the first QV Report. When developing future potential improvement plans the first QV Report focuses on the following four areas for sourcing improvement: Demand Management Improvement Internal Process Improvement Supply Management Improvement External Process Improvement After implementation of the Category Strategy and on Contract Award, candidates have to complete a second QV Report for assessment. This explains in detail what the candidate did in the development and implementation of the strategy, why certain activities and tasks were (and were not) undertaken, and what outcome was achieved. This work is also available for current and (if required) prospective employers to review. Each of these Category Strategy Reports explains what is best practice in real-life when managing in the 8-Step Category Management and Strategic Sourcing process. For the Red and Black Belt awards the candidate has to manage the whole process on their own without IIAPS staff support. This means the organisation and facilitation of the QV Value Improvement Workshop and determination of sourcing strategy options, as well as the subsequent strategy implementation and the preparation of two Detailed QV Reports for assessment. 5
4. THREE LEVELS OF ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE To obtain membership of the International Institute of Advanced Purchasing and Supply (MIIAPS), candidates have to demonstrate competence in managing all of the purchasing and supply chain management activities and tasks, but in three very different category management and strategic sourcing circumstances. To assist candidates from around the world IIAPS has developed a three-stage approach to Professional Membership. This allows candidates to fund their progression in phases, while also obtaining an immediate training in world-class practices. During the three stages to Full Professional Membership candidates have a different membership status with IIAPS, as described below: STAGE 1: INTERNATIONAL GREEN BELT & MIIAPS The first stage level of Advanced Professional Membership is the International Green Belt in Advanced Purchasing & Supply. To achieve this level of professional membership (MIIAPS - Green Belt) students (supported by IIAPS staff) have to demonstrate competence by developing a Category Strategy for an indirect or direct category of spend through a QV Value Improvement Workshop, implementing the Strategy and completing the required two detailed QV Repor ts for assessment. STAGE 2: INTERNATIONAL RED BELT & MIIAPS The second level of Advanced Professional Membership is the International Red Belt in Advanced Purchasing & Supply. To achieve this level of professional membership (MIIAPS - Red Belt) students have to demonstrate competence by developing on their own a Category Strategy for a direct category of spend through a QV Value Improvement Workshop, implementing the Strategy and completing the required two detailed QV Repor ts for assessment. STAGE 3: INTERNATIONAL BLACK BELT & MIIAPS MIIAPS The third, and final, level of Advanced Professional Membership is the International Black Belt in Advanced Purchasing & Supply. To achieve this level of professional membership (MIIAPS - Black Belt) students have to demonstrate competence by developing on their own a Category Strategy for a direct category of spend through a QV Value Improvement Workshop, implementing the Strategy and completing the required two detailed QV Reports for assessment. Candidates must also complete a 8000 word dissertation on world-class category management and strategic sourcing. 6
5. THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE - SUPPORTING MATERIALS Training in every activity and task in the 8-Step strategic sourcing process is provided. In addition to the QV Value Improvement Workshop, candidates are provided with QV Workshop Materials, IIAPS Books, Theory Modules and On-Line Reading Material. QV WORKSHOP MATERIAL The QV Workshop material is a series of structured templates that allow the student to identify all key demand and supply variables and strategic sourcing options available to improve value for money (VFM) in quality, cost and delivery (QCD). The material supports the Project Kick-off and prepreparation of Demand & Supply Data based on IIAPS detailed structured questions. The templates and presession questions form the first element to support embedded learning when developing and implementing a real-world Category Strategy based on world-class Category Management and Strategic Sourcing practices. The aim is for candidates to demonstrate (at the activity and task level) what are their decisions, and then to justify them. All of the work of a candidate is used as the basis for final assessment and classification during final qualification award. IIAPS READING MATERIAL Students are provided with a number of books written by IIAPS. These explain in detail the weaknesses behind current orthodox thinking about how to undertake category management segmentation; and how to develop appropriate sourcing strategies to leverage improved value for money from suppliers and supply chains. They also explain the theory behind every activity and task within the 8-Step strategic sourcing process. The books also allow candidates to read more thoroughly about each of the activities and tasks that they have been exposed to in the QV Value Improvement Workshop. 7
THEORY MODULES There are 27 Theor y Modules on the theory behind world-class purchasing and supply management. Each module introduces key theoretical issues about the nature of purchasing and supply, category management and strategic sourcing, and the debates about world-class best practice amongst academics and practitioners. 6. COURSE GRADING To obtain Full Professional Membership candidates must complete all three qualifications (International Green, Red and Black Belts in Advanced Purchasing & Supply), which entails completing 6 detailed QV Repor ts for assessment in total. We currently use the following grading system for the assessment of all 6 elements: Distinction: 80% - 100% Merit: 60% - 79% Pass: 40% - 59% Fail: Less than 40% (1 re-sit possible per Module) 8
7. COURSE COSTS International Green Belt qualification The current cost for all Workshop Materials and for the assessment of the two QV Reports is 12,000 in total. This figure involves the 5 days work by IIAPS Staff ( 10k) in supporting the QV Workshop (2 days) and assisting with the development of the first QV Report (3 days) and the assessment of the second QV Report ( 2k). International Red Belt qualification Can only be taken after satisfactory completion of the International Green Belt qualification. For the International Red Belt, the current cost for all Workshop Materials and for the assessment of the two QV Reports is 2,000. Without IIAPS involvement in the QV Workshop or in the development of the first QV Report, this figure is for the assessment of the second QV Report only. International Black Belt qualification Can only be taken after satisfactory completion of the International Green and Red Belt qualifications. For the International Black Belt, the current cost for all Workshop Materials and for the assessment of the two QV Reports is 2,000. Without IIAPS involvement in the QV Workshop or in the development of the first QV Report, this figure is for the assessment of the second QV Report only. MIIAPS 8. FURTHER INFORMATION To obtain an application form and further information about IIAPS Services or the International Green Belt, Red Belt and Black Belt qualifications in Advanced Purchasing and Supply please contact info@iiaps.org 9
Email: info@iiaps.org www.iiaps.org IIAPS International Institute for Advanced Purchasing & Supply