Study Resources - Level 6 Professional Diploma

Confidently prepare for exam success

Introducing our brand new Study Guides, eBooks and eLearning, each aligned to our syllabus learning outcomes in a fresh, easy to read format:

Study Guide - Text Book

Your text book study guide forms the foundations of each modules learning outcomes.

Study Guide - eBook

The online equivalent of your text book which you can access on your phone, tablet or desktop PC.

eLearning

Rich, interactive multimedia content that enhances your learning and tests your knowledge.

Recommended Reading:

• L6M1 - Management and Organisational Behaviour - Mullins
• L6M2 - Exploring Strategy: Texts and Cases - Johnson, Scholes and Whittinton
• L6M3 - Handbook of Supply Chain Management - Gattorna et al, Gower
• L6M4 - How to Research - Blaxter, Hughs and Tight and access free CIPS elearning for this module carefully developed to help you prepare for the exam
• L6M5 - Project Management, A Managerial Approach - Meredith and Mantel
• L6M7 - Big Data: How the Information Revolution is Transforming Our Lives - Clegg
• L6M8 - Strategic Supply Management: Principles, Theories and Practice - Cousins, Lamming, Lawson
• L6M9 - Purchasing and Supply Chain Management - Thomas, Johnsen, Howard, Miemczyk
• L6M10 - Operations Management - Slack et al

Check out the format and style of questions that you will encounter in exams:

These give you an example of the level and types of questions.

Sample exam questions - Objective Response

• Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Module [L6M5]
• Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Module [L6M7]
• Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Module [L6M8]
• Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Module [L6M9] 
• Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Module [L6M10]

Sample exam questions - Constructed Response

• Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Module [L6M1]
• Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Module [L6M2]
• Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Module [L6M3]
• Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Module [L6M4]

Access CIPS Knowledge a free member only resource designed to support you as you study for each exam.

Select a module to see related white papers and resources for each learning outcome:

L6M1 | L6M2 | L6M3 | L6M4 | L6M5 | L6M7 | L6M8 | L6M9 | L6M10

1.0  Understand and apply leadership skills and behaviours that are appropriate for strategically improving the procurement and supply chain function

• Leadership
• Leadership styles
• Differences between management and leadership

2.0  Understand and apply communication planning techniques and analyse their influence on individuals involved in the supply chain

• Leadership
• Emotional Intelligence
• Stakeholder mapping
• Soft skills

3.0  Understand and apply methods to overcome leadership challenges faced by procurement and supply chain managers

• Power in Leadership
• Stakeholders
• Developing Strategies
• Leadership tips

4.0  Understand and apply tools and techniques to lead strategic change in the supply chain

• Change management
• Conflict management
• Formal and Informal organisations 
• Ethical procurement and supply

5.0  Understand and apply ethical practices, standards and regulations that impact on the procurement and supply function

• Supply Chain Governance
• Diligent procurement
• Mitigation and fraud protection

1.0  Understand and apply the concept of commercial global strategy in organisations

• CIPS Global Standard
• Strategy

2.0  Understand and apply tools and techniques to address the challenges of global supply chains

• Analysing Macro-economic factors
• Procurement Strategy
• Strategic and Operational management
• Equality
• Category management
• Procurement strategy

3.0  Understand strategy formulation and implementation

• Porter's 5 Forces
• Drives for globalisation
• Diversification
• Strategy 
• Risk management
• Global supply chains

4.0  Understand the implementation of strategies in supply chains

• Departmental structures
• People being a resource
• Financial analysis
  
• Procurement strategy
  

1.0  Understand how strategic supply chain management can support corporate business strategy

• Global supply chains
• Supply chain risk
• Outsourcing
• Market volatility
• Strategy

2.0  Understand and apply supply chain design tools and techniques

• Reverse logistics
• E-procurement
• Customer segmentation
• Lean/agile theories
• Procurement strategy

3.0  Understand and apply techniques to achieve effective strategic supply chain management

• John Gattorn's PADI matrix
• Setting KPIs
• Balanced scorecards
• SCM

4.0  Understand and apply methods to measure, improve and optimise supply chain performance

• Benchmarking
• Technology within procurement
• CPFR
• SCM

5.0  Understand how an organisation achieves strategic fit between supply chain and competitive strategies

1.0  Understand the changing needs and requirements for procurement and supply

• Future of the procurement profession
• Future of the supply chain management profession
• How procurement has evolved

2.0  Understand the future challenges for the procurement and supply profession

• Competitive advantage
• Glowing influence of procurement
• The future of the supply chain management profession

1.0  Understand contracting for programmes

• Model form contracts
• Contractual terms
• Target costing
• Average rate of return

2.0  Understand programme leadership approaches

• Gantt charts
• Types of budgets
• Open book costing
• Project and programme management

3.0  Understand the role of culture on achieving programme success

• Cultural web
• Cultural differences
• Charles Handy's types of culture

1.0  Understand the concept of big data in the global supply chain

• Big data
• The three Vs
• Business Intelligence
• Data analysis and business intelligence

2.0  Understand data integrity and its impact on procurement and supply

• GDPR
• Intellectual property rights
• Security system specifications
• Data analysis and business intelligence

3.0  Understand the impact of cyber security on procurement and supply

• Cyber security
• Cyber terrorism
• Importance of encryption

1.0  Understand techniques for supplier development

• ESI
• Collaboration
• E-procurement
• Balanced scorecards
• SRM

2.0  Understand methods to achieve procurement and supply improvement and innovation

• Analysing data
• Lean and agile practices
• Business Process Reengineering
• Innovation and tech

3.0 Understand the environmental factors which affect supply chain improvement and innovation

• Sustainable procurement standard
• Sustainable procurement
• WRAP
• Supplier diversity
• Value generation
  

1.0  Understand the strategic nature and influence of supply network design

• Offshoring
• Logistics associated with supply chain networks

2.0  Understand operations strategy and its contribution to overall business success

• Clear organisational vision
• Continous improvement
• Effectiveness and efficiency

3.0  Assess the strategic value of resource planning and control

• Push and pull strategies
• MRP
• TOC

1.0  Understand the strategic logistical implications of globalisation

• Logistics
• Globalisation
• 3 and 4PL logistics

2.0  Understand global governance of the supply chain

• Supply chain governance
• Ownership V flow of goods
• Embedded and vitual teams

3.0  Understand the concept of reverse logistics and its impact on global logistics strategy

• CSR policies
• Circular procurement
• Reverse logistics

Watch this short video to see how to use the computer-based exams platform for CIPS Constructed Response (CR) exams. It also includes guidance on the different types of command words found in the questions and how you should tailor your answers to what the examiner is looking for.

Our guides will help you to prepare for any of the exam formats that you’re likely to encounter.

• A candidate guide  preparing for CIPS exams
• Exam preparation guidance for Objective Response (OR) questions in Level 2 Certificate and Level 3 Advanced Certificate computer-based exams
• Exam preparation guidance for Objective Response (OR) questions  Level 4 Diploma Level 5 Advanced Diploma and Level 6 Professional Diploma
• Exam preparation guidance for Constructed Response (CR) questions Level 4 Diploma Level 5 Advanced Diploma and Level 6 Professional Diploma.

Improve your exam techniques

Learn how to improve your exam techniques for Constructed Response (CR) exams.  The way that you structure your answer can mean the difference between pass or fail.  Take at look through the following guides to improve your exam technique.

Download your computer-based exams CR exams techniques guide 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Our paper-based CR exams (PBEs) are only available in specific countries. To find out if we hold PBEs in your country go to our online exam finder. 

Download your paper-based constructed response exams techniques guide.

Other study and exam guidance

• In the News - illustrate your exam answers with relevant examples from these highlighted international news stories.
• Top Tips - make sure you understand how to optimise your study time.
• Networking - get in touch with your local branch and social media networks to get peer support. 

Having some issues studying a module?

You may want to consider getting further support with a CIPS approved study centre and access structured, tutor-led learning to be certain that you have thoroughly covered the whole syllabus ahead of your exam.

Completed CIPS Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply?

CIPS has a network of over 190 approved study centres globally offering a range of flexible courses. Get in touch to talk about getting started.

Next steps

On successful completion you will be eligible to apply to be upgraded to MCIPS, or with an up to date CIPS Ethical Procurement and Supply certificate you will be eligible to upgrade to MCIPS Chartered Procurement and Supply Professional, you must be a current member.