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Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (Part 2) Questions 46–50 (page: 11)

Updated On: 9-Feb-2026

In which of the following situations would the use of a failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) be most appropriate?

  1. After a one-time quality incident investigation
  2. During the define phase of a six-sigma project
  3. During evaluation of a new market opportunity
  4. Prior to a new product introduction (NPI)

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a systematic, proactive method for identifying and evaluating the potential causes and impacts of failures in a process, product, or service1. It aims to anticipate and prevent failures by assessing the relative effect and risk of different failure modes1. The use of FMEA would be most appropriate prior to a new product introduction (NPI). During the NPI phase, FMEA can be used to identify potential failure modes in the design of the product and assess their potential effects on the product's performance and reliability. This allows for proactive measures to be taken to mitigate or eliminate these risks before the product is launched. FMEA is particularly useful in the early stages of design, as it helps in making informed decisions that can improve the quality and safety of the product1.
In contrast, using FMEA after a one-time quality incident investigation (A) or during evaluation of a new market opportunity © may not be as effective, as these situations do not involve the design or development of a product or process.
While FMEA can be used during the define phase of a Six Sigma project (B), its most impactful application is during the design phase of a new product, where it can significantly influence the final outcome.



Potential reasons to make instead of buy a product may include:

  1. maintain core competencies, increase capital expense, and reduce cost.
  2. less capital investment, large volume changes, and reduce cost.
  3. maintain quality, reduce cost, and keep confidential processes within the firm.
  4. eliminate risks associated with single sourcing, create intermittent flow, and reduce cost.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

According to the CPIM Exam Content Manual, a make-or-buy decision is a strategic decision that involves choosing between manufacturing a product or service internally or purchasing it from an external supplier1. A make-or-buy decision is based on a cost-benefit analysis that considers various factors, such as quality, cost, capacity, lead time, technology, and competitive advantage2. Some of the potential reasons to make instead of buy a product may include:

Maintain quality: Making a product internally may allow the firm to control and ensure the quality standards of the product, which may affect customer satisfaction and loyalty. Buying a product from an external supplier may involve quality risks or uncertainties, especially if the supplier is located in a different country or has different quality systems3.
Reduce cost: Making a product internally may reduce the total cost of ownership of the product, which includes not only the purchase price, but also the costs of transportation, inventory, inspection, warranty, and maintenance. Buying a product from an external supplier may incur higher total costs due to these factors.
Keep confidential processes within the firm: Making a product internally may protect the firm's proprietary or confidential processes that give it a competitive edge in the market. Buying a product from an external supplier may expose the firm's processes to potential imitation or leakage. Therefore, the correct answer is C. maintain quality, reduce cost, and keep confidential processes within the firm.


Reference:

CPIM Exam Content Manual
Make-or-Buy Decision Explained: How to Make Outsourcing Decisions Make or Buy Decision - What Is It, Examples, Factors, Advantages Make-or-Buy Decision - Overview, How It Works, Triggers Make or Buy Decision - Definition & Examples | Marketing Tutor



A focused differentiation strategy is best chosen with:

  1. a broad cross-section of buyers and pursuit of a lower cost competitive advantage.
  2. a narrow buyer segment and pursuit of a lower cost competitive advantage.
  3. a broad cross-section of buyers and pursuit of a unique competitive advantage.
  4. a narrow buyer segment and pursuit of a unique competitive advantage.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

A focused differentiation strategy is a type of focus strategy that targets a narrow buyer segment and pursues a unique competitive advantage. A focus strategy is a business-level strategy that involves concentrating on a specific market niche or segment and tailoring the products or services to the needs and preferences of that niche1. A differentiation strategy is a business-level strategy that involves creating a product or service that is perceived as unique, distinctive, or superior by the customers, and charging a premium price for it2. A focused differentiation strategy combines these two approaches by offering a differentiated product or service to a narrow market segment that has unique demands or characteristics. This strategy allows the firm to create value for its customers and charge higher prices than its competitors, while avoiding direct competition with firms that target a broader market or offer lower-cost products or services3. An example of a focused differentiation strategy is Lululemon, a Canadian company that sells high- end yoga and athletic apparel. Lululemon targets a niche market of health-conscious, affluent, and fashion-oriented women who are willing to pay premium prices for its products. Lululemon differentiates itself from other sportswear brands by offering high-quality, stylish, and innovative products that are designed to enhance the performance and comfort of its customers. Lululemon also fosters a strong brand identity and community among its customers by providing yoga classes,

fitness events, online platforms, and social media engagement4.


Reference:

Focus Strategy - Definition, Types and Examples | Marketing Tutor Differentiation Strategy - Definition & Examples | Marketing Tutor Focused Differentiation Strategy: Definition & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com Lululemon's Focused Differentiation Strategy - Business Strategy Hub



The major contribution of the production plan is to:

  1. establish demand by end item.
  2. provide authorization for the master schedule.
  3. identify key resources to support the master schedule.
  4. establish the weekly build schedule.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

According to the web search results, the production plan is a long-term plan that establishes the quantity and timing of the end products to be produced by the company1. The production plan is based on the forecasted demand, the available capacity, and the company's strategic objectives2. The production plan is also used to authorize and guide the master schedule, which is a more detailed and short-term plan that specifies the quantity and timing of each end product to be produced in each time period3. The master schedule is derived from the production plan, and it must not exceed the production plan's limits. Therefore, the major contribution of the production plan is to provide authorization for the master schedule.
The other options are not correct, because they are either irrelevant or inaccurate. The production plan does not establish demand by end item, but rather responds to the forecasted demand by end item. The production plan does not identify key resources to support the master schedule, but rather determines the overall resource requirements to meet the production targets. The production plan does not establish the weekly build schedule, but rather provides the basis for the weekly build schedule, which is a more detailed breakdown of the master schedule that specifies how many units of each end product will be built in each week.


Reference:

Production Planning - Definition, Objectives, Types, Importance Production Planning in Manufacturing: Best Practices for Production Plans Master Production Schedule (MPS) - Definition & Examples | Marketing Tutor [Master Production Schedule (MPS) - Meaning & Process | Tallyfy] [Production Planning - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics] [Production Planning: Definition, Levels, Objectives and Factors] [What Is a Weekly Build Schedule? | Bizfluent]



A process capability study would be necessary in a laboratory when:

  1. A test results are consistently late.
  2. frequent failures are occurring.
  3. a new technician is hired.
  4. hours of operation are to be extended.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

A process capability study is a method of evaluating how well a process can produce outputs that meet the specifications or requirements. A process capability study involves collecting data from a sample of the process output, calculating the process mean and standard deviation, and comparing them with the specification limits1. A process capability study can help identify the sources and causes of variation, measure the performance and quality of the process, and determine the potential for improvement2.
A process capability study would be necessary in a laboratory when frequent failures are occurring. Frequent failures indicate that the process is not capable of producing reliable and consistent results, and that there may be some problems or defects in the process. A process capability study can help diagnose the issues and suggest corrective actions to reduce or eliminate the failures. For example, a laboratory that performs blood tests may conduct a process capability study to find out why some of the test results are inaccurate or invalid, and what factors affect the accuracy and validity of the test results.
The other options are not situations that would require a process capability study, because they are either unrelated or irrelevant to the process performance or quality. A test results are consistently late (A) is a problem of timeliness, not capability. A new technician is hired © is a change of personnel, not process. Hours of operation are to be extended (D) is a change of schedule, not process.


Reference:

Process Capability Analysis Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk - A Guide - 1factory What is Process Capability? Capability Estimates & Studies | ASQ



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