The successful completion of this examination is the final requirement needed for a candidate to earn the designation of CPIM, and the topic areas covered are significantly different from those in previous CPIM courses. The SMR course focuses on strategic issues, those that are of concern to individuals responsible for crafting and executing the strategic direction for a business, or at a minimum, the operations side of the business. According to Bloom’s (not Claire!) taxonomy there are 6 levels of individual understanding as shown in the following chart:-
In the first four CPIM modules the examinations test to see if the candidate is familiar with the body of knowledge covered in the curriculum. They are tested in terms of knowledge of terms and concepts, formulas, and processes. Most of this is testing at the knowledge and comprehension levels.
The Strategic Management of Resources examination is testing at the higher levels of application, analysis and synthesis. This is the fundamental difference which requires highly qualified instructors with extensive experience in crafting and executing strategy for organizations. This is why it is essential that students prepare for this examination with instructors who have a track record of success in helping students develop the critical thinking necessary to pass the SMR examination.
The format of some of the questions asked on the SMR examination is also different from those asked on previous exams. The examination for SMR includes case studies, brief stories about companies and situations that require the student to analyze the situation and then identify the appropriate strategic response. A lot of CPIM instructors have difficulty relating to, or explaining the rationale behind strategic decisions, and as a result many students have difficulty understanding how to answer the questions and fail the exam.
The world of global business today requires clear communication, and English has become the international standard for business communication. The SMR exams are in English, the course material is in English, the course is in English and the candidate must be able to grasp the concepts and the language necessary to pass the exam. It is also extremely important that the students have the opportunity to discuss these strategic issues in class in the language in which they will be tested.
Keith and Claire has great experience with the SMR-module and their student has a high success rate.
Keith John Launchbury, CFPIM, CIRM, CSCP
Keith is the President of Keith Launchbury & Associates LLC, a company committed to providing practical and
innovative ideas for the improvement of business operations. He obtained a Bachelor of Technology degree in
Applied Physics from the University of West London (Brunel) in 1974. Since then he has concentrated on the
implementation of planning and control systems in a wide range of business environments. Keith was International President for APICS in 1991. He was also a significant contributor to the APICS Certified in Integrated Resource Management Program.
Claire Virginia Bloom
Claire has Master Degrees in Strategic Intelligence and Educational Leadership, and is a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Master Practitioner. She is Certified in Integrated Resource Management by APICS, the leading professional association for supply chain and operations management. She retired from the United States Navy in 1998 following a very successful tour as the first woman to be the Second In Command of USS CONSTITUTION.n the ship sailed for the first time in 116 years, and celebrated her 200th birthday.
