2014

EXAM CONTENT MANUAL

PREVIEW

APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management

Detailed Scheduling and Planning
Preview of Exam Content Manual
January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014

Please be aware, this is not the full APICS CPIM Exam Content Manual (ECM). The full version is
available for purchase at apics.org/shop. This abbreviated version is provided to give candidates an
overview of what is contained on the exams on a very high level. For exam preparation, use of the
current APICS CPIM ECM is strongly recommended.
Each participant guide includes the section of the APICS CPIM ECM related to the particular module.
Also available is APICS CPIM Study Tools. This comprehensive, online component to the APICS CPIM
program is an online learning environment designed to help you master the core concepts in each
APICS CPIM module. APICS CPIM Study Tools contains presentation slides and assessments to
complement your APICS CPIM learning experience. Each APICS CPIM participant guide gives you
access to APICS CPIM Study Tools.
Purchase the APICS Detailed Scheduling and Planning participant guide at apics.org/shop.
No portion of this document may be reproduced under any circumstances. CPIM is a registered
trademark of APICS.

Detailed Scheduling and Planning Exam: ECM Preview

The following table identifies the four main topics of the exam. The relative importance of these
topics varies among industries, but the figures show the percentage designated for each section of
the exam.
Diagnostic
part
I
II

III

IV

Main topic
Planning the
Management of
Inventory
Planning Material
Requirements to
Support the Master
Schedule
Planning
Operations to
Support the Priority
Plan
Planning
Procurement and
External Sources of
Supply

Percentage of
exam
25%
25%

25%

25%

Content Outline
I. Planning the Management of Inventory
Inventory planning concepts, policies, methodologies and techniques determine part stocking levels,
order quantities, safety stocks, forecasts, handling and storage requirements, including global supply
chain risks.
This covers inventory techniques and tools used within the detailed material planning process. These
include the effect of inventory accounting decisions on material planning calculations, as well as
financial management and accuracy. Objectives that apply to inventory are evaluated with respect to
balancing the desired customer service level with inventory reduction techniques. Measures of
inventory performance are assessed.
A. Types and Classifications of Inventory
B. Inventory Policies
C. Inventory Planning
D. Accuracy, Handling, Storage and Traceability
II. Planning Material Requirements to Support the Master Schedule
Planning material requirements driven by the master production schedule, including material
requirements planning (MRP), deals with dependent demand parts and interrelationships that
require planning at any given time. It also includes independent demand planning for service parts,

matching supply with demand and managing demand at aggregate and disaggregate levels. MRP
combines three principles:

Calculation, as opposed to forecast, of dependent demand for component items

Netting of requirements for all items
Time phasing

A. Identifying Information Used in the Material Planning Process

B. Identifying the Desirable Characteristics of the Detailed Material Planning Process
C. Mechanics of the Detailed Material Requirements Planning Process
D. Maintaining the Validity of the Material Plan
E. Managing the Project Plan
III. Planning Operations to Support the Priority Plan
Capacity is defined as the capability to produce goods or provide services. Capacity requirements
planning (CRP) provides a check that the material plan is achievable based on existing orders and
available capacity. Capacity management encompasses planning, establishing, measuring,
monitoring and adjusting levels of capacity to execute the master schedule and related materials
plan. It addresses the approaches for balancing the material plans with available internal and
external resources and supporting activities, including constraint management and line and flow
balancing. Uncertainty planning is also covered, including variability and capacity in a transient state.
A. Identifying Information Used in the Detailed Capacity Planning Process
B. Recognizing the Characteristics and Techniques of the Detailed Capacity Planning Process
C. Using the Detailed Capacity Planning Process
D. Measuring the Performance of the Detailed Capacity Planning Process
IV. Planning Procurement and External Sources of Supply
Procurement and supplier planning encompass planning and evaluation activities that companies
employ to qualify suppliers and establish effective communication channels. Emphasis is on defining
mutual business needs, product and process information, the impact of global sourcing,
sustainability practices and quality management required for the ongoing relationship. This includes
approaches to communicating forecasts, orders and schedules to ensure that purchased capacity
and materials will be available in the required quantities and at the required time.
A. Establishing Relationships with Suppliers
B. Techniques and Concepts for Supplier Partnerships

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