Supply Chain Executive Education: What’s the right combination?

This is an excerpt of the original article. It was written for the July-August 2019 edition of Supply Chain Management Review. The full article is available to current subscribers.

July-August 2019

If you’re a long-time reader of Supply Chain Management Review, you’re familiar with Larry Lapide’s “Insights” column. Typically, Larry is writing about the many facets of planning, but occasionally, he takes on a provocative topic. One year, he questioned whether it was necessary to be a Top 25 supply chain leader, especially if in your industry, good enough gets the job done.

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Executive education has never been a one-size-fits-all resource, but with the advent of online learning, the proliferation of certification options and other new delivery methods, it has become even more personalized and targeted. This makes sense in a world where everyone from the kindergartener to the high schooler to the grad school student is learning via more differentiated, tailored means.

In supply chain, executive education is typically served up in the traditional classroom setting, online or via a hybrid approach that blends the two. The end game is usually an advanced degree, certification or completion of non-degree courses, depending on the individual's or team's needs. Along with open enrollment courses, institutions and organizations also develop customized education that's designed with specific companies in mind.

Evolving approaches

Meant to appeal to a wide range of professionals who are at different stages in their careers, supply chain executive education is both wide and varied. In some cases, executives benefit most from a hybrid or “blended” approach that incorporates two or more educational delivery options. A supply chain professional that attends a three-day intensive course on a college campus, for example, may also benefit from one or more certification courses. The same professional may want to take one or two online courses to get up to speed on specific topics (i.e., supply chain analytics or supply chain finance) at a later date.

“Every company approaches supply chain executive education differently, but there are definitely some models that repeat themselves time and time again,” says Nora P. Neibergall, senior vice president at the Institute for Supply Management. For example, she says companies put their employees through certification programs to help those executives “level up” and get on common ground, stay engaged, and do something for themselves. “They also use executive education to get members of their teams up to the same baseline,” says Neibergall, “and ensure that everyone has the same core knowledge and is speaking the same language.”

What those companies should understand is that not every type of executive education is right for everyone, and that there are myriad options to choose from—not all of which will align well with the company's or the supply chain team's mission. This is an important consideration in an era where organizations want to see real results and payouts from their investments. “Because post-certification metrics are getting more and more important,” states Neibergall, “every company has to develop a way to measure progress, but not all of them have figured out how to do that.”

Finding the right mix

At the Center for Transportation and Logistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, supply chain executive options include four-day to five-day open enrollment courses that cover a variety of different topics. Students come into the classroom for this learning, which today features more case studies, simulations and “action learning” than it did in the past (when it was largely lecture-based). It also offers a degreed program known as the MITx MicroMasters, and custom courses, the latter of which are online-based and take about 20 weeks to complete.

“We're tailoring the content to the company's learning objectives and what they want their employees to come away with in terms of gained knowledge,” says Katie Date, manager, Corporate & SCALE Network Outreach. More recently, the institution began offering a series of courses in conjunction with a corporate partner that includes online education and live events ( one-hour to two-hour online sessions where an MIT researcher leads a specific topic that correlates with the online content that was delivered over the prior three weeks to four weeks).

“The researcher presents a lecture, and then peppers in a discussion and/or different learning techniques that invite student participation,” says Date. She says these custom options differ from the open-enrollment MicroMasters courses because they're personalized and can be offered to up to 100 students at a time (versus tens of thousands of MicroMasters' students). “We can create a course that is specifically tailored to the organization's learning objectives,” she says, “and then monitor these students hyper-vigilantly to make sure that they're all understanding concepts before we move on to the next concept.”

Content contextualization

Michigan State University has also been honing its executive education offerings, but in a different way. According to David Frayer, assistant dean for executive development programs, the institution is emphasizing individual learning pathways and content contextualization. Both cater to the individual executive, with the latter focusing on the importance of delivering supply chain management knowledge within a specific context.

“Companies are telling us that they want their employees to understand the best in supply chain, but that the knowledge needs to be set within the context of their businesses,” says Frayer. In responding to that demand, MSU is creating programing that allows students to contextualize information in a way that makes the most sense to them.

“We're creating learning objects that can be delivered either online or face-to-face, and that factor in specific industries,” Frayer explains. For example, a chief procurement officer (CPO) working within a specific business, business model and/or business strategy, needs to know how those elements translate into supply chain strategy. Or, the company that has global locations may need learning content that incorporates those international models into a single, unified learning experience for its executives.

Frayer admits that offering this level of content contextualization isn't easy, but says MSU is up to the task. “It's both a huge challenge and a huge opportunity, and it's where we're investing a lot of our time right now,” he says. “We're moving very fast and hard on both the content contextualization and individualized learning pathways.”

The full market basket

As companies gain a clearer picture of what they want from their executive education investments, and as providers find ways to meet and exceed those needs, the discipline as a whole will continue to evolve. At Penn State, for example, Steve Tracey, executive director for the Center for Supply Chain Research, says more companies are asking for virtual education—an option that works for some students, but isn't for everyone.

“There are a lot of success stories out there and the technology is getting better, but virtual learning isn't good for everything,” says Tracey. “Just like in-person education is not a one-size-fits-all, online learning isn't either. The best approach is really a mix of the different delivery options.”

It's also a mix of both credit and non-credit education, Tracey adds, in order to get both internal and external viewpoints on key topics, trends and challenges. “Particularly for large organizations,” Tracey concludes, “you really need a combination of in-class education and virtual offerings to get the full market basket and the best solution for the organization.”

Robots and gamification

Looking ahead, the academics and experts interviewed for this article expect supply chain education to align with what's going on in the supply chain itself, with automation, robotics and even gamification all playing more important roles in future executive education offerings.

The Association for Supply Management (ACSM), for example, regularly identifies trends that it expects to affect the profession. Then, it digs down into those trends to figure out what knowledge and skillsets supply chain professionals will need to be able to adapt to and embrace those changes.

Right now, Peter Bolstorff, executive vice president, corporate development, says ACSM is looking closely at how supply chain managers are using more bots to support their forecasting, pricing and replenishment planning activities. He sees this as a trend that will logically affect executive education in the near future. “The bots aren't replacing planners, but [they're] certainly repositioning what a planner does,” he says.

“Likewise, you have robots entering the warehouse and manufacturing environments, where they are changing the nature of the work,” Bolstorff continues, “so we're constantly trying to be on the leading edge of understanding how these shifts are applied to the profession, and how we can keep current with our body of knowledge.”

Shay Scott, executive director of the University of Tennessee's Global Supply Chain Institute, concurs, and says that as technology continues to evolve, so too does the executive education that's associated with it. For instance, the program recently integrated gamification from a coursework standpoint with the goal of making the learning more “fun and more natural” for students. It's also using simulation exercises to bring the course content into real life, and leveraging synchronous technology (i.e., real-time communication between two people) for mediated exchanges in the context of executive education.

Inundated with information, supply chain executives need help making sense of it all; developing the frameworks and processes to manage it; and then applying their newfound knowledge in a way that provides value for their companies. Scott sees this is as further proof that the “sage on stage” instructional approach—where the dispenser of knowledge speaks from behind a lectern—no longer exists. That presents both opportunities and challenges for educational institutions like the University of Tennessee. “It's a fast-paced, changing world,” says Scott, “and we're having a lot of fun in it.”

Supply chain management certifications offered by professional organizations and universities

Every company that delivers a product or service has a supply chain management department. With the increase in the complexity of supply chains, all companies are looking for people who can be good managers and lead the supply chain with minimal issues. Certifications in SCM can be a great boost for anyone who aspires to a career in this field. The aim of this article is to expand upon the available recognized SCM certifications in the United States and to aid budding supply chain executives in their efforts to keep abreast of this rapidly changing area.

Indeed, many professional institutions, universities, colleges and even companies are expanding their education programs, including certifications, in the area of supply chain management. The focus of these courses is not just on traditional supply chain disciplines, such as inventory management and the fundamentals of procurement, but also to address collaboration skills, strategic planning, work culture and information technology, to name a few.

Given the number of options, choosing a certification is highly dependent on the expectations of the individual, his or her experience and career expectations. For instance, for someone with a global perspective, the APICS certifications are recognized across the globe, while university-offered certifications are better recognized in the United States compared to other parts of the world.

In the following pages, we present details on the certifications offered by professional organizations such as APICS, CSCMP and ISM, along with certificate programs available at more than 40 universities and academic institutions. The aim is to provide a basic understanding of the type of certifications available as well as information the eligibility requirements, expectations and requirements for completion of the certificate program. Please keep in mind that information on certification programs is subject to change. We highly recommend that readers check the respective certification program Websites before making a final decision.

Professional Associations

ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management)

With over 45,000 members and more than 250 global partners, ASCM is the global leader in supply chain learning, transformation, innovation and leadership. The organization offers three certifications and one endorsement for individuals and one certification for corporate: APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution, APICS Supply Chain Operations Reference Professional (SCOR-P) and the ASCM Enterprise Certification.

APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)

APICS CPIM is recognized worldwide as the standard of professional competence in production and inventory management. Candidates learn the basics of production and inventory management, such as the required terminologies, concepts, demand planning and management, procurement, scheduling, continuous improvement and related areas. CPIM is a recognized addition to the profile of anyone looking to advance a career in supply chain management; it is almost a necessity for individuals whose day-to-day activities involve working in production and inventory management, operations, supply chain management, procurement, purchasing and materials management departments.

Candidates must pass two exams within three years to earn the APICS CPIM certification:

• CPIM Part 1
• Module 1 — Basics of Supply Chain Management
• CPIM Part 2
• Module 1 — Strategic Management of Resources
• Module 2 — Master Planning of Resources
• Module 3 — Detailed Scheduling and Planning
• Module 4 — Execution and Control of Operations

There are a number of resources available to help candidates study for the Part 1 and Part 2 exams. apics.org/cpim provides tips to aid exam preparation and to tackle the questions asked during the exam.

Candidates must pass two computer-based 150-question exams to become certified.

To maintain the APICS CPIM certification status, candidates must earn a total of 75 points every five years. Failure to maintain may lead to the suspension of CPIM credentials and also require a candidate to re-take all of the exams.

APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

The APICS CSCP certification was launched in 2006. Since then, more than 25,000 professionals from nearly 100 countries have earned this designation.

APICS CSCP certification distinguishes a candidate as an industry expert in the field of supply chain management. It is one of the most widely recognized certification programs and is also the most sought-after designation by many employers. APICS CSCP exams are offered at locations around the world.

The program focuses on improving a professional's expertise in the field of global supply chain management in areas such as customer relations, information technology enablement, logistics and international trade.

To be eligible for the APICS CSCP, one must have:

• three years of business-related experience;
• bachelor's degree; and
• CPIM, CFPIM, CIRM, SCOR-P, C.P.M., CSM or CPSM designations.

The APICS CSCP exam consists of three modules, which must be mastered for certification.

• APICS Supply Chain Management Fundamentals
• Supply Chain Strategy, Design and Compliance
• Implementation and Operations

There are a number of resources available to help candidates study for these modules. apics.org/acsp provides tips to aid exam preparation and to tackle the questions asked during the exam.

To maintain the APICS CSCP certification status, candidates must earn a total of 75 points every five years. These points can be earned by continuing education, publications and service to the operations management profession. Failure to maintain may lead to the suspension of CPIM credentials and also require a candidate to re-take all of the exams.

APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD)

The APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) designation assesses individuals based on a comprehensive body of knowledge, best practices and standards. Earning the CLTD credential validates a professional's expertise in the logistics, transportation and distribution.

Launched in 2016, this program features a single computer-based exam developed around new courseware, self-study and instructor-led education opportunities.

The APICS CLTD program consists of eight modules critical to the logistics industry, including:

• Logistics and Supply Chain Overview
• Capacity Planning and Demand Management
• Order Management
• Inventory and Warehouse Management
• Global Logistics Considerations
• Logistics Network Design
• Reverse Logistics and Sustainability‬

The APICS website (http://www.apics.org) provides many resources on the CLTD Learning System to help individuals prepare for the exam.

To apply for the APICS CLTD, submit an eligibility application two weeks prior to registration. The eligibility application must include:

• 3 years related business experience, or
• Bachelor's degree or the international equivalent, or
• CSCP, CPIM, CFPIM, CIRM, SCOR-P, CTL, C.P.M., CSM OR CPSM designations

In order to maintain the certification, designees must abide by the APICS Code of Ethics, which can be found on the APICS website (http://www.apics.org/cltd). Additionally, an individual must earn a total of 75 maintenance points and apply for maintenance every 5 years. These points can be earned by continuing education - presentations, publications, and educational development - service to the operations management profession, and/or professional membership. If the credentials are not maintained, the certificate will be suspended. Each additional year of suspension, up to 5 years, requires additional professional development point in order for the certification to be reinstated. After 5 years of suspended credentials, the candidate will be required to take the exam again.

APICS Supply Chain Operations Reference – Professional

APICS SCOR-P model helps supply chain professionals manage and measure the performance of a global supply chain using the SCOR model. Widely recognized, the SCOR-R endorsement enables professionals to increase the performance of their supply chains using the knowledge gained in SCOR model.

The APICS SCOR-P endorsement enables candidates to standardize performance metrics, create best practices that affect supply chain performance, and the management of critical supply chain resources. In order to be eligible for this certification, candidates must have five years of experience working in supply chain management. APICS conducts three days of training for the APICS SCOR-P exam. While attendance at the training sessions is not a pre-requisite to taking the exam, candidates are required to purchase the SCOR course in order to attend the exam.

After purchasing the SCOR course, the candidate will receive an e-mail with a Notice to Schedule (NTS) the exam date. This NTS is valid for six months

ASCM Enterprise Certification

The ASCM Enterprise Certification is the industry's first and only corporate supply chain designation that measures social responsibility, economic sustainability, and ecological stewardship. This program aims to empower organizations to reach goals, improve results, and be more competitive in today's global business world. This unique designation incorporates Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) content and all certification bodies of knowledge.

Earning the Enterprise Certification can help your organization:

• Gain a competitive advantage through showcasing economic, ecological, and ethical supply chain practices.
• Demonstrate transparency to prospective customers and consumers
• Ensure suppliers align with your organization's values
• Manage accountability to support your organization's ethical standards
• Embrace a culture of social responsibility
• Showcase your supply chain excellence

Evaluations of the ethical practices of an organization's supply chain include the review of the supply chain for: anti-corruption and anti-trust, codes of conduct, confidentiality of information, human rights and labor practices, intellectual property and patents, and responsible marketing and sales engagement.

Evaluations of the economic practices of an organization's supply chain include the review of the supply chain for: business integrity and company reputation, board and corporate leadership, enterprise risk and crisis management, materiality index, responsible tax, supply chain strategy and differentiated operating models.

Evaluations of the ecological practices of an organization's supply chain include the review of the supply chain for: circular economy, climate strategy, energy, water and waste, material usage, and product life-cycle stewardship.

Additional information can be found on ascm.org/enterprise

CSCMP's SCPro Supply Chain Management Certification Program

The SCPro Supply Chain Management Certification is offered by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).

SCPro certification is a three-level certification process that validates a professional's ability to assess business challenges and effectively implement improvements in the area of supply chain management.

Level One. Level one certification consists of eight modules and demonstrates a solid foundation of knowledge in all areas of supply chain management. In order to complete this level, candidates are required to have a bachelor's degree or four years of relevant work experience.

Level Two. Level two certification covers the analysis and application of supply chain challenges. In order to be eligible for level two, candidates must have a bachelor's degree and three years of work experience or, alternatively, seven years of work experience along with level one certification.

Level Three. Level three certification requires candidates to perform hands-on analysis within a working environment and to create a detailed project plan that generates results such as increase in ROI, cost reductions and improvements. In order to be eligible for level three, a candidate should have a bachelor's degree and five years of work experience or, alternatively, nine years of work experience along with level one and level two certifications.

Candidates with all three levels of certification can demonstrate to an employer that they are well versed with the most important concepts required to manage today's supply chains.

The Hackett Institute's Certified Enterprise Analytics Professionals

The Certified Enterprise Analytics Professional program, delivered via a dynamic e-learning platform, offers comprehensive training and development in the area of advanced analytics. The program is designed to build the analytics knowledge of business professionals at all levels and within multiple functional areas. Professionals will improve their mastery of the analytics techniques and tools necessary to effectively analyze, predict and influence business performance.

While this program is currently offered to organizations seeking to improve the skills of its teams, it will soon be available to individuals.

Information can be found on the Hackett Institute website http://www.thehackettgroup.com/certified-enterprise-analytics-professionals/.

ISM's Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) Program

With nearly 45,000 members worldwide, the Institute for Supply Management is one of the largest global organizations focused on improving procurement and supply management. ISM has certified nearly 60,000 procurement professionals in more than 30 countries worldwide.

The Supply Management Program helps candidates become experts in critical areas of supply chain management such as sustainability, strategic sourcing and forecasting.

The eligibility requirements for this exam are:

• three years of experience in supply chain management with a bachelor's degree or equivalent;
• five years of supply chain management experience without a bachelor's degree; and
• successfully pass three CPSM exams.

In order to earn this certification, candidates must complete in order the following three exams.

• Exam 1: Foundation of Supply Management
• Exam 2: Effective Supply Management Performance
• Exam 3: Leadership in Supply Management

Preparation resources for this certification can be found on the ISM Website (instituteforsupplymanagement.org).

ISM's Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) Program

The Supplier Diversity Program (CPSD) is best for professionals who participate in the development of supplier diversity initiatives.

The eligibility requirements for this exam are:

• pass the CPSD exam;
• Exam 1 for CPSD is waived if the candidate has CPSM certification;
• five years of experience in the area of supplier diversity or supply chain management;
• a bachelor's degree and three years of experience in the area of supplier diversity or supply chain management.

Preparation resources for this certification can be found on the ISM Website (instituteforsupplymanagement.org).

Next Level Purchasing Association

NLPA SPSM Certifications

The Next Level Purchasing Association (NLPA) currently offers three certification levels that are open to supply chain professionals who are members of the NLPA. A fourth level is expected to be available in 2017.

The SPSM program covers essential procurement skills and consists of six online purchasing courses and an exam that focuses on the most effective purchasing and supply management techniques, tactics, and strategies. Candidates have up to one year to complete the program, but it can be completed in less time.

Level 2, or the SPSM2 certification, is open to individuals who have earned the SPSM certification and covers global procurement management. The program consists of four online procurement courses and an exam.

Level 3, or the SPSM3 certification, is available to individuals who have earned the SPSM and SPSM2 certifications. The program is designed to help professionals master the skills to collaborate with other departments leading to even better results and a greater bottom-line impact. The program consists of four online procurement courses and an exam.

Level 4 will cover social responsibility and strategic supplier diversity practices.

Information is available on the NLPA website (http://www.nextlevelpurchasing.com).

Sourcing Industry Group (SIG University)

SIG University Certification

The SIG University certification is focused on implementing methodologies and best practices in the areas of strategic sourcing, outsourcing, governance, risk and compliance. A 12-week course is currently available for Certified Sourcing Professionals, with online courses being added for Certified Sourcing Executives and Certified Governance and Risk Professionals. The curriculum is offered to people at all levels in their sourcing careers who seek training opportunities. Each certification level consists of modules with interactive lessons and end-of-unit assessments. Each certification is valid for five years and was developed utilizing leading online best practices enhanced with relevant real-world experiences.

Information is available on the SIG University website (http://sig.org/sig-university).

Click here to see:

• List of Professional Supply Chain Managment Certifications
• List of University based Supply Chain Management certifications

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