Certified in Production and Inventory Management
CPIM
The APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management or APICS CPIM designation is a professional certification offered by APICS (The American Production and Inventory Control Society). The program was founded in 1973. Since its inception, more than 100,000 people have earned the APICS CPIM designation.
APICS CPIM designees learn essential terminology, concepts, and strategies related to demand management, procurement and supplier planning, material requirements planning, capacity requirements planning, sales and operations planning, master scheduling, performance measurements, supplier relationships, quality control, and continuous improvement.
To earn the APICS CPIM designation, operations management professionals must successfully complete five exams:
- Basics of Supply Chain Management
- Master Planning of Resources
- Detailed Scheduling and Planning
- Execution and Control of Operations
- Strategic Management of Resources
The APICS CPIM designation must be maintained every five years through the APICS Certification Maintenance program.[1]
APICS CPIM Modules
The APICS CPIM designation is earned upon successful completion of exams covering the following five modules.
Basics of Supply Chain Management (BSCM)
The basic concepts in managing the complete flow of materials in a supply chain from suppliers to customers are covered in the Basics module. This module covers manufacturing, distribution, service, and retail industries. This includes the fundamental relationships in the design, planning, execution, monitoring, and control that occur. Knowledge of the material in this module is assumed as a prerequisite for the other APICS CPIM modules, which cover similar topics in much greater depth.
Topics include:
- Understanding basic businesswide concepts, including understanding various supply chain environments
- Managing demand, including markets and customer expectations
- Designing products, processes, and information systems
- Understanding supply issues including inventory costs, functions, and metrics
Master Planning of Resources (MRP)
Explore and be able to apply the principles of demand management, sales and operations planning, master scheduling, and distribution planning, and to identify conditions that require action. This module evaluates knowledge of both supply and demand planning for mid- to long-term independent demand.
Topics include:
- Recognizing all demands for goods and services to support the marketplace
- Bringing together all the plans for the business
- Disaggregating the production plan into an executable schedule
- Planning the distribution network and replenishment
Detailed Scheduling and Planning (DSP)
Acquire a working knowledge of the tools and techniques for planning of inventory, including planning techniques such as MRP, CRP, lean, TOC, and projects. Understand the effect of using each technique; know standard measurements for inventory, materials, capacity and supplier performance; and recognize when to escalate issues.
Topics include:
- Managing inventory, planning material requirements, planning capacity requirements, and procurement and supplier planning
- Recognizing the importance of supply chain management and deploying supply chain strategies related to scheduling, planning, and sourcing
- Translating product-level plans and schedules generated at the master planning level into requirements that can be procured or produced
- Bridging the master planning area with the execution and control function
- Planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and implementing projects that are used to manage the supply of products and services
Execution and Control of Operations (ECO)
Learn to translate plans into operational activities and define and apply techniques in the operations field.
Topics include:
- Comparing actual output to plans and taking appropriate corrective actions
- Communicating ideas in a group setting and instructing others in tasks
- Creating operational solutions in the face of competing resources
- Explaining the release of work and reporting performance through data collection
- Understanding the execution of quality initiatives and continuous improvement plans
- Evaluating trade-offs and participating in design decisions
Strategic Management of Resources (SMR)
Move your learning to the next level through the SMR module that includes higher-level thinking or strategic planning and implementation of operations. This includes an understanding of how market requirements drive the resources and processes of an organization.
Topics include:
- Understanding concepts that require a combination of elements and higher thinking within the entire CPIM body of knowledge
- Knowing the relationship of existing and emerging processes and technologies to operations and supply chain functions
- Understanding various business environments
- Knowing how business strategies are developed and how operation strategies are implemented
APICS CFPIM
Persons who have qualified for the CPIM designation are eligible to take their professional credentials to the next level with the Certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management (CFPIM) program.[3] The CFPIM designation is awarded to an elite group of professionals who share their knowledge with others through presenting, publishing, teaching, and participating in other professional development activities.