The correct answer is Inducement, which is not one of Cialdini's principles. The seven principles are:
* Reciprocity - people return favours.
* Commitment/Consistency - people stick with commitments.
* Social Proof/Consensus - people follow others.
* Authority - people respect expertise.
* Liking - people are influenced by those they like.
* Scarcity - people value what is limited.
* Unity - people are influenced by shared identity.
Cialdini's framework is widely applied in procurement negotiations and stakeholder management. For instance, demonstrating scarcity can strengthen a supplier's case for urgency, while using authority enhances credibility during negotiations.
Understanding these principles allows category managers to influence stakeholders and suppliers effectively, building alignment and driving successful outcomes.
[Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.66 - Cialdini's Principles of Persuasion]

Within Category Management, sub-categories are often referred to as commodities. These are narrower groupings within a category that focus on specific goods or services. For example, within the Construction category, commodities might include raw materials, subcontracted labour, or specialist equipment hire.
Recognising commodities helps procurement apply tailored strategies that address their specific market dynamics and risk profiles. It also provides clarity when developing category plans, as different commodities may require different sourcing and supplier management approaches. By managing at both category and commodity levels, organisations can strike a balance between broad strategic alignment and detailed tactical execution.
Reference: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.52

A black swan event is an unexpected and rare occurrence with significant impact. Examples include the 2013 horse meat scandal in the food industry, which was unforeseen and highly disruptive.
Reference: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.104

Inflation is directly linked to the Economic factor within STEEPLED. It affects costs, purchasing power, and business profitability.
[Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.109 - STEEPLED analysis factors]

A Category Board [sometimes called a Category Council or Committee] is a cross-functional group of stakeholders responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of a category strategy. It brings together representatives from procurement, finance, operations, and other relevant departments to ensure that sourcing decisions align with overall business objectives.
While boards may also review spending or risk, their main role is strategic governance. They provide input into category planning, approve strategies, resolve conflicts, and ensure stakeholder buy-in. This collaboration is essential, as category management is a cross-functional discipline that cannot succeed if procurement operates in isolation.
Options A and B are too narrow, while option D is unrealistic-no body can "mitigate all risks." Instead, the board ensures risks are recognised and addressed within the strategy.
The study guide highlights the importance of such structures in embedding category management within an organisation's governance framework.
[Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, pp.614 - Category Boards and governance in category management]