The CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply validates advanced expertise in strategic procurement and supply chain management. The L6M9 exam, Supply Network Design, tests your ability to lead supply chain transformation, align operations with business strategy, and optimize resource planning across complex networks. This page provides a structured study map, sample question formats, and practical preparation guidance to help you approach the exam with confidence and clarity.
Use this topic map to guide your study for CIPS L6M9 (Supply Network Design) within the Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply path.
The L6M9 exam combines knowledge-based and scenario-driven items to assess both conceptual understanding and applied judgment in supply network decisions.
Questions progress in difficulty, moving from straightforward application to complex, multi-layered decisions that reflect real-world supply chain leadership challenges.
Effective preparation maps the three core topic areas to a structured weekly study plan, with regular practice and review cycles. Allocate time proportionally to each domain, then integrate them through scenario practice to build the holistic thinking the exam requires.
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Operations strategy and its alignment with business success typically account for a significant portion of the exam, as this is foundational to supply network design decisions. Leadership and resource planning are equally important but often tested through scenario-based questions that require you to integrate all three domains. Review past papers or syllabus guidance to confirm the exact weighting for your exam session.
Leadership drives the change and stakeholder buy-in needed for strategy implementation. Operations strategy defines what the supply network must achieve (cost, quality, speed, flexibility). Resource planning and control then operationalize that strategy by allocating capacity, inventory, and supplier relationships. In a real project, you might lead a network redesign (leadership), justify it against competitive priorities (strategy), and then plan the transition using demand forecasts and capacity models (resource planning).
Confusing operational efficiency with strategic alignment is a frequent error; candidates may choose cost-cutting options without considering whether they support the organization's strategic priorities. Another common mistake is underestimating the importance of resource constraints; ignoring capacity or supplier lead-time realities when evaluating network designs. Finally, weak scenario analysis often results from failing to identify all stakeholders and trade-offs before selecting an answer.
Read the scenario twice: first to understand the context and constraints, second to identify the specific question. Highlight or note the key facts (current state, problem, constraints, objectives). Then map the scenario to the relevant topic areas before evaluating answer options. Avoid choosing the first plausible answer; instead, compare all options against the stated objectives and constraints to ensure you select the best fit.
Complete a full-length mock exam under timed conditions and review every incorrect answer, noting whether errors came from knowledge gaps, misreading the question, or poor scenario analysis. Spend the remaining days doing targeted revision on weak topics and re-reading key frameworks and definitions. On the day before the exam, do a light review of summary notes rather than cramming new material, and ensure you are well-rested and familiar with the exam platform and logistics.
ZYX Ltd creates products to meet customer demands. Each product created is unique to the customer's specification. What is the name of the workflow pattern used by ZYX Ltd?
Engineered to order (ETO): Each product is uniquely designed based on customer specifications.
Made to order (MTO): The same product is made only when there is a demand.
Configured to order (CTO): A hybrid approach where customers choose from predefined configurations (e.g., furniture with different color options).
Produced to order: This is not a standard term for this type of workflow.
Since ZYX Ltd creates products that are uniquely specified by each customer, engineered to order (ETO) is the correct answer. (See p.205)
Maxi Ltd is a medium-sized manufacturing organisation in the automotive industry that creates engines for cars. It has traditionally worked well with its suppliers, with strong relationships and regular meetings. There are currently around 15 suppliers who provide parts to Maxi Ltd.
Due to changing customer demands, Maxi Ltd will, from next month, modify the manufacturing of some of its products. Product X is being made more environmentally friendly, with output of CO2 being reduced by 32%. The product will take longer to produce, but there will be no additional cost to customers for this.
Maxi ltd are considering outsourcing the manufacturing of Product Y as it is not a product which is routinely ordered by customers. This will allow Maxi Ltd to focus on other products which generate higher revenues for the company. The concern within the Board of Directors is that if demand increases for this product, an outsourced company may not be able to cope with higher numbers of orders.
Product Z is an extremely popular item and oftentimes Maxi Ltd does not have the capacity to fulfil all orders. Consideration has been given to increasing the size of the factory, but this has been discarded as risky as demand is not guaranteed. The product has been available on the marketplace for a short amount of time and sales are continuing to increase, but the company believes this will soon plateau. To deal with current demand, the marketing team is working on campaigns to invite customers to make orders for this product at certain times of the year when product X is not being created in the factory. This means resources can be reallocated to the creation of product Z.
What area of the product lifecycle is product Z in?
Product Z has been available for a short amount of time, and sales are still increasing. Since the demand is growing but has not yet stabilized, it is in the growth stage of the product lifecycle. (LO 2.2)
LTL Ltd is a manufacturing organisation producing made-to-order equipment for the construction industry, such as bespoke windows and doors. The Head of Operations has received four large orders and is considering the sequencing of production. Which of the following should the company do?
Sequencing involves balancing logic, cost, and speed to optimise production. Prioritising orders purely by arrival time (Option A) or cost efficiency (Option B) might not be practical. Similarly, making sure all orders finish at the same time (Option D) isn't always necessary. (See p.183)
Which of the following statements about Demand Chain Management (DCM) are TRUE? Select ALL that apply.
Correct statements about DCM:
(C) Cash flow and profitability are key drivers.
(D) It is a strengths-based approach, focusing on leveraging competitive advantages.
(E) There is a long-term focus rather than just short-term efficiency.
(F) Uses forecasts and planning to understand customer demand.
Incorrect statements:
(A) False -- A company CAN be both efficient and effective.
(B) False -- Supply Chain Management (SCM) focuses on cost minimisation, while Demand Chain Management (DCM) focuses on customer value.
(See LO 2.3, p.125)
Which of the following are disadvantages of the small-capacity strategy in capacity planning? Select ALL that apply.
The small-capacity strategy means a company deliberately produces below optimal capacity. This provides agility and flexibility to respond to market changes and allows for customer personalisation. However, the disadvantages include:
Higher production costs (lack of economies of scale)
Weaker ability to compete on price (since larger-capacity businesses have lower production costs)
Options C and D are disadvantages of large-capacity strategy, not small-capacity. (See LO 1.3)
