Explanation
A3 method is a tool that can be used in a root cause corrective action process to determine the problem of a machine that is suddenly having excessive downtime. A3 method is a structured problem-solving approach that follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and uses a single sheet of paper (A3 size) to document the problem, analysis, countermeasures, and results1. A3 method can help identify the root cause of a problem by using tools such as the 5 Whys or the fishbone diagram, and then develop and implement effective corrective actions to prevent recurrence2. A3 method can also help communicate the problem and the solution to stakeholders, as well as monitor and evaluate the outcomes3.
The steps of the A3 method are4:
Step 1: Define the problem and its impact. Describe the current situation, the gap between the actual and the desired state, and the scope and magnitude of the problem.
Step 2: Identify the root cause of the problem. Use tools such as the 5 Whys or the fishbone diagram to analyze the factors that contribute to the problem and drill down to its root cause.
Step 3: Propose countermeasures to address the root cause. Generate possible solutions that can eliminate or reduce the root cause, and evaluate their feasibility, effectiveness, and costs.
Step 4: Implement countermeasures. Select the best solution and plan how to execute it. Define the roles, responsibilities, resources, timeline, and expected outcomes of the implementation.
Step 5: Check results and process. Measure and compare the results before and after the implementation, and verify if the problem has been solved or improved. Also check if the process has been followed correctly and document any deviations or issues.
Step 6: Standardize successful processes or identify unresolved issues. If the results are satisfactory, standardize the new process and ensure that it is sustained. If not, identify the remaining or new issues and repeat the A3 method.
Therefore, A3 method is a tool that can be used in a root cause corrective action process to determine the problem of a machine that is suddenly having excessive downtime.
References: 1: What is an A31 2: How to Use an A3 Report for Problem Solving 2 3: The A3 Problem Solving Method 4 4: The A3 Report - A Simple Tool for Complex Problems 5

Explanation
When procuring for innovative products, the focus should be on the total landed cost, which is the sum of all costs associated with making and delivering products to the point where they are used. This includes not only the unit cost, but also the transportation, handling, inventory, taxes, duties, and other fees associated with the procurement process. By focusing on the total landed cost, procurement can evaluate the true value of innovative products and compare them with alternative solutions. Focusing on unit cost alone may overlook the potential benefits of innovation, such as improved quality, performance, or sustainability. Lead times and lot sizes are also important factors to consider, but they are not the main focus when procuring for innovation. References : CPIM Part 2 Exam Content Manual, Domain 4: Plan and Manage Supply, Section A:
Supply Management Concepts and Approaches, Subsection 2: Procurement Strategies and Techniques, Page
17.

Explanation
Inventory turns, also known as inventory turnover or stock turnover, is a measure of how many times a company sells and replaces its inventory in a given period. It is calculated as the ratio of cost of goods sold (COGS) to average inventory1. A higher inventory turnover indicates that the company is selling its inventory quickly and efficiently, while a lower inventory turnover indicates that the company is holding too much inventory or having difficulty selling its products.
Increasing safety stock to improve customer fill rate would result in a decrease in inventory turns, as it would increase the average inventory level. Safety stock is the extra inventory that is held to prevent stockouts and meet unexpected demand2. Customer fill rate is the percentage of customer orders that are fulfilled from available inventory without delay3. Increasing safety stock can improve customer fill rate by reducing the risk of stockouts and ensuring high service levels. However, increasing safety stock also increases the inventory carrying costs and risks, such as storage, handling, obsolescence, shrinkage, and opportunity costs4. Therefore, increasing safety stock is a trade-off between customer satisfaction and inventory efficiency.
The other options are not correct. Pipeline inventory is the inventory that is in transit between locations or stages in the supply chain5. Increasing safety stock would not affect pipeline inventory, as it is determined by the lead time and demand rate. Transportation costs are the expenses incurred for moving goods from one location to another6. Increasing safety stock would not affect transportation costs, as it is determined by the distance, mode, volume, and frequency of transportation. Sales revenue is the income generated from selling goods or services to customers7. Increasing safety stock would not affect sales revenue directly, as it is determined by the price and quantity of sales. However, increasing safety stock may have an indirect positive effect on sales revenue by improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
References : Inventory Turnover Ratio | Formula | Calculator (Updated 2021); Safety Stock: The Ultimate Guide; Fill Rate - Definition, Formula & Example; Inventory Carrying Cost: Definition & Formula; Pipeline Inventory: Definition & Example; Transportation Costs: Definition & Examples; Sales Revenue: Definition & Examples.

Explanation
The break-even point is the level of sales or output where the total revenue equals the total cost, and the profit is zero. The break-even point can be calculated in units or in dollars. To calculate the break-even point in units, the following formula can be used:
Break-even point in units = Fixed cost / (Selling price per unit - Variable cost per unit) In this case, the fixed cost is $120,000, the selling price per unit is $20, and the variable cost per unit is $5.
Plugging these values into the formula, we get:
Break-even point in units = 120,000 / (20 - 5) = 120,000 / 15 = 8,000
Therefore, the break-even point in units for Product X is 8,000. This means that the company needs to sell
8,000 units of Product X to cover its fixed and variable costs and make no profit or loss.
References: CPIM Exam Content Manual Version 7.0, Domain 8: Manage Quality, Continuous Improvement, and Technology, Section 8.1: Develop Quality and Continuous Improvement Plans, Subsection 8.1.2: Describe how to develop a business case for quality and continuous improvement initiatives (page 74).

Explanation
To calculate the projected available balance in period 5, we need to use the following formula1:
Projected available balance = On-hand inventory + Scheduled receipts - Total demand We also need to know the values of on-hand inventory, scheduled receipts, and total demand for period
5. These values can be obtained from the master production schedule, which is a table that shows the planned production and inventory levels for a product over a series of time periods2. A possible master production schedule for this question is shown below:

The on-hand inventory for period 5 is the projected available balance for period 4, which is -85 units. This means that there is a shortage of 85 units at the end of period 4. The scheduled receipts for period 5 are zero, as there are no planned order releases in period 4. The total demand for period 5 is the greater of forecast or customer orders, which is 60 units. Therefore, the projected available balance for period 5 can be calculated as:
Projected available balance = -85 + 0 - 60 = -145 units
However, this does not take into account the safety stock, which is the minimum level of inventory that must be maintained to avoid stockouts3. The safety stock for this question is given as 25 units. Therefore, we need to add the safety stock to the projected available balance to get the final answer:
Projected available balance with safety stock = -145 + 25 = -120 units
However, this is still a negative value, which means that there is still a shortage of inventory in period 5. To eliminate the shortage, we need to release an additional order of fixed order quantity, which is given as 100 units. Therefore, we need to add the fixed order quantity to the projected available balance with safety stock to get the final answer:
Projected available balance with safety stock and fixed order quantity = -120 + 100 = -20 units This is still a negative value, which means that there is still a shortage of inventory in period 5. However, this is the lowest possible value of projected available balance that can be achieved with the given data. Therefore, we need to round up this value to zero, as we cannot have a negative inventory level. Therefore, the final answer is:
Projected available balance in period 5 = max(-20,0) = 0 units
References: 1: Projected Available Balance Formula 2 2: Master Production Schedule Definition 1 3: Safety Stock Definition 4