CIPS highlights that damage to brand reputation and financial loss are two major risks of failing to manage supply chain risks effectively. Legal issues such as lawsuits arise from illegal activity, which is separate from general risk exposure.
Reference: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.111

Industries differ in terms of barriers to entry, which are obstacles that make it difficult for new competitors to enter a market. The restaurant industry has relatively low barriers-it requires less upfront capital, fewer regulatory approvals, and allows easier entry compared to industries such as airlines or pharmaceuticals. In contrast, pharmaceuticals involve stringent legal regulations, high R&D costs, and patents, while airlines require massive capital investment and regulatory compliance. The soft drinks industry, while not as capital- intensive, has strong barriers due to brand loyalty, global supply chains, and marketing costs. For procurement, recognising barriers to entry is important because it affects supply market competitiveness. In industries with low barriers like restaurants, buyer power is generally higher because new suppliers can enter easily. In high-barrier industries, suppliers hold greater power due to limited alternatives. This ties directly into Porter's Five Forces, which procurement professionals use to evaluate market attractiveness and develop category strategies.
Reference: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.179

Although some organisations mistakenly use Category Management and Strategic Sourcing interchangeably, they are not the same. Strategic Sourcing is a philosophy or approach to procurement, while Category Management is a structured process, applied most effectively through recognised frameworks like Kraljic or Kearney's 7-step model. Category Management is strategic, not tactical, and focuses on long- term value creation, supply market management, and alignment with organisational objectives. A direct quote from L5M6 states: "Category Management is a process and is applied most effectively when using a recognised framework and supporting tools." This clarity ensures that organisations do not reduce Category Management to short-term sourcing exercises. Instead, it emphasises cross-functional collaboration, innovation, and market analysis to achieve sustainable value.
Reference: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.49

In category management, reliable decision-making depends heavily on the analysis of historical spend data.
According to CIPS, the key forms of usable historical data include:
* Spend analytics: consolidated information showing how much has been spent, on what items, and with which suppliers.
* Line item details: transaction-level data that provides specific insight into products or services purchased.
* Ledger codes: financial classifications that group expenditure for reporting and control purposes.
These data sets allow category managers to identify trends, supplier dependency, opportunities for consolidation, and potential cost savings. In contrast, inflation rates and spend forecasts are forward-looking metrics, not historical data. Using accurate historical information is critical for preparing budgets, supporting negotiations, and identifying anomalies in expenditure. Organisations that fail to utilise this data often struggle to align their category strategies with financial realities, leading to overspending or missed opportunities.
Reference: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.133

The correct answer is CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility]. In modern procurement, tenders are no longer evaluated solely on price and quality. Organisations increasingly consider ethical, environmental, and sustainability performance as part of supplier evaluation. CSR factors include labour practices, carbon footprint, use of sustainable materials, and compliance with ethical trading standards.
Other options represent different procurement tools but are not additional evaluation factors:
* TCO [Total Cost of Ownership]: A financial analysis tool, not a tender factor.
* ITT [Invitation to Tender]: A formal document, not a factor.
* PQQ [Pre-Qualification Questionnaire]: Used for initial supplier screening, not tender evaluation.
Integrating CSR into tenders reflects the wider move towards responsible procurement. It ensures suppliers align with the buyer's values and long-term risk management priorities.
[Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.39 - CSR considerations in tenders]