Justify which of the five approaches to condition performance monitoring you think is the most cost effective within whole life asset management.
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation. Explanation: Condition performance monitoring is a surveillance system that is designed to get the maximum production uptime and availability out of an asset. And this can be achieved by timely monitoring and measuring of temperature, vibration, output, speed, noise, emissions and quality. With this, decision has to be made as to what, if any, action needs to be taken. The five approaches to condition performance monitoring are as follows: 1. Do nothing: Use like a commodity. This will bring worries later. 2. Reactive: Fix it when it breaks. This will run to failure. 3. Preventive: Scheduled maintenance. 4. Predictive: Fix it before it breaks. Predict faults. 5. Proactive: Continuous improvement defect elimination. The most cost-effective approach is 'Proactive', because is the only approach that has continuous improvement in the process, people and policies to minimize downtime. Being proactive takes defect out of the system and continuously harness opportunity that will optimize the system
Question 57
Explain three strategic decisions that could be made or enhanced by using the STEEPLE or SWOT analysis
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation. Explanation: By using STEEPLE and SWOT analysis, the organization can reach out to the following strategic decision in how it will engage with its external environment, and utilize it strength to cover up for its weakness and achieve its strategic goals; 1) STEEPLE can aid an organization to come up with informed decision by understanding when is the right time to procure goods or services? 2) STEEPLE and SWOT analysis can uncover the quantity that could be most economical to ac-quire at the point in time. 3) When an organization want to decide on the currency that could be most favorable for the buy, it will analyze the countries involved and the strength of their currency and make its decisions on which currency that the supplier should be paid that will not make the organization to lose unnecessary money to exchange. 4) Should the product or services be made or bought? 5) Should the product or services be resourced? 6) Should the product or services be placed? * Refer to the question column
Question 58
Research the ethical standard or accreditation of an industry with which you are familiar.
Correct Answer:
See the answer in explanation. Explanation: If a supplier is accredited or is a member of an association that promotes good ethical conduct, a statement to this effect is likely to be featured on its company documentation. This could be in a form of letters after the organization name or the authorized use of logo. Accreditation information should be verified by procurement professionals either asking organiza-tion for certification to prove membership or accreditation or checking on a professional register. Below are associated bodies that form some industries. 1. ISO 14001 - for quality management 2. CIPS - for procurement and Supply 3. Red Tractor - NGO Registered in the UK, promoting human right 4. Amnesty International - human right 5. Carbon Trust - For Carbon neutral status. * Refer to the question column for response
Question 59
Explain the concept of the 3Ps/TBL and how it can be used by an organization.
Correct Answer:
Trying to measure how sustainable an organization was used to be challenging undertaking. How-ever, during the 1990s, a concept brought up by American John Elkington change the way sustainability was measured. This framework is known as the triple bottom line (TBL) and measures sustainability in relation to organizational performance and investment against the 3Ps (1) Profits (2) People (3) Planet. For example; Profit: A packaging manufacturer reinventing its profits in a State- of-the-art recycling machinery for it wasted cardboard. People: A large privately owned call center donate its end of life computers to a local youth clubs and social groups to help gain internet cases. Planet: A driving instructors using only hybrid vehicles to teach her learners, thus to reducing Co2 emission. The TBL, although a useful tool, is simply a way of recording how sustainable an organization is. Alone, it does not contribute towards any improvements or generate any actions promoting a more favorable, sustainable outlook. Objectives should be set in relation to what the 3Ps show and then monitored by implementing KPIs or other measuring methods. * Refer to the question column for response
Question 60
What does the acronym SMART stand for?
Correct Answer:
When the procurement professional is setting key performance indicator (KPI) where which the supplier performance will be monitored and managed. The KPI is expected to be SMART. SMART is an acronym that is used to set KPI and specification. S - specific , M - measurable, A - achievable, R - relevant, and T - timebound.