One of my multiple volunteer activities involves being a member of the Association of Operations Management (APICS) Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Examination Review Committee.

For those readers not familiar with the exam, candidates have the opportunity to be tested and certified on a broad range of supply chain management competencies.  Our committee meets about two to three times per year, to review feedback and results from previous exams, and to work on revised areas for testing.  I was nominated to this committee based on my previous background in supply chain information systems which I acquired both as a noted supply chain industry analyst, as well as working at a number of very large and smaller supply chain software providers including Oracle and SAP.

The October meeting also brings together all of the other APICS certification exam committees, including those involving inventory, operations and production scheduling exam areas. The APICS management team brings together all of these teams once a year to communicate strategic direction, and potential new initiatives.

One of the areas I’m especially interested in is the newly released Supply Chain Manager Competency Model that was published in August.  This is a rather detailed description or guideline of broad-based skills required in mastering supply chain management, and can be downloaded from the APICS web site.  I hope to get a better understanding of this model, and will pen a future posting on my impressions of this model.

While in Chicago, I’m also planning to have dinner with my fellow blogger Jason Bush, who is the primary author of the Spend Matters blog, which is noted on this site’s Blog Roll.  Jason and I have known each other for many years, and often run into each other at various supply chain events, and discuss various supply chain trends and developments.  Whereas Jason was the first to introduce serious blogging to the supply chain world by coining the “Matters” blog tag, he has been very gracious to allow me to foster Supply Chain “Matters” moniker, to which I am grateful.

Bob Ferrari

There was an important announcement that may capture your attention if you are an individual member of APICS (The Association of Operations Management), or if your company holds a membership to the Supply Chain Operations Council (SCOR).  Both organizations have agreed to provide uniform member-discount access to each others training and certification programs.

What does this mean, you ask?

If your company has a SCOR membership, you will receive APICS member rates for all certification exams, including the CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) exam, as well the APICS International Conference and certain other designated events.  If you hold individual membership in APICS, you now can take advantage of member rates for SCOR training programs, including SCOR model certification.  APICS members can also participate in the SCORmark benchmarking program, which provides organizations the ability to rate their performance within database of industry-specific SCOR performance metrics.

You can view more detailed information at either the SCOR or APICS designated explanation website pages.

In my view, this announcement is yet another reflection of the reality of the current recessionary economy worldwide.  Both organizations are feeling some effects on membership renewals, and want to respond to member needs for broader value in a professional membership. Discounted access to each other’s training is a first step. 

I can envision broader opportunities as well.  SCOR has a major initiative underway in identifying future supply chain skill requirements under the Global Supply Chain Professional Development and Skills Committee.  It would be great if the findings of this SCOR effort can be an input to future CSCP certification. 

Before my readers speculate, let me further clarify that this announcement is not a merger, but rather a pragmatic business decision that meets mutual benefit.  SCOR gets broader exposure to its SCOR Model training programs and APICS can broaden its availability of supply chain training offerings as well as the potential to access a deeper body of supply chain knowledge.

Another obvious question for readers is whether this a sign of broader relationships among professional groups that umbrella our profession? What about the Council of Supply Chain Management (CSCMP) and the Institute of Supply Chain Management (ISM), both of which offer training, conferences, and a body of knowledge to supply chain management professionals?  When will they reach out for broader value for members? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, take advantage of this specific opportunity.  You are also welcomed to share your reactions in the comments section related to this post.

Bob Ferrari

Full Disclosure Statement:  I am a professional member of APICS, CSMP, and SCOR.  I also currently serve as a volunteer member of the SCOR North America Leadership Team, as well as the APICS CSCP Certification Exam Review Committee.