Every supply management professional who decides to pursue certification, such as the CPSM or CPSD from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) will at some point have to decide if he or she will invest in an exam preparation class. Many professionals decide not to take a class and pass the exams just fine. Others prefer the additional reinforcement of taking a class. Obviously, one size does not fit all, as we learn in different ways. While classes add an additional expense to the process, some find that the advantages of taking a preparation class out-weigh the cost. Depending on the individual, some of those advantages may include: (1) additional reinforcement of concepts by virtue of the fact that you don't just read the material, you view it, you hear it, highlight it, sometimes write it. You can ask questions, you can share in the understanding of others. (2) review of the majority of the material in a classroom setting helps some of us to better focus on the areas where we need the most work, thereby making personal study time more productive (3) helping you to brush up on test taking skills and discuss issues in order to understand the concepts from the perspective of ISM (4) providing you with an additional opportunity to expand your network and share in the experiences of others. I could name a few more, but the purpose of this short post is not to convince you that you need to take a review class. That is your individual choice. But for those who are thinking about taking a class, how do you select a provider that will maximize the return from your investment in time and money?
First, let me say that while money is always important, be sure you evaluate a potential provider on the qualitative issues discussed below. There are some high value, low dollar classes out there, and conversely, not every course is worth the tuition. If you select a course directly from ISM, be it an open-enrollment venue or an in-house seminar, you won't go wrong. But what about all the others? ISM Affiliates and Chapters, colleges, universities, consultants, individuals, all out there offering CPSM or CPSD programs. So how do you evaluate them? Here are a few suggestions. Is the trainer certified? I know, it is not required, but wouldn't you like to know they already walked a mile in your shoes? What are the trainer's qualifications? Did they attend any training specifically for the CPSM reviews? For example ISM offers a T3 (Train the Trainer) program. Participants in that program are listed on the ISM website (www.ism.ws) What is their experience in the classroom as well as experience in the profession? Again, I know you don't have to be a practitioner to teach the class, but the insights and understanding from someone who has been there may be helpful. Do they bring any extra value to the program? (Not a deal breaker, but nice if you can get a little something extra.) By this I mean, do they have any past or present relationships that give them any special insight into ISM or the exam that might set them apart from other instructors. For example, I know of several trainers who worked for ISM on certification or who served on the Certification committee or had input on test formation/questions, etc. These individuals bring an extra layer of value to the program that you might not get from others. Have they updated their programs to comply with the new 2014 edition of the Study Guide? Some will say that you can pass the exams by studying with the old study materials. I don't disagree. Most of us probably can. But if you are going to take a class, why not study the most up to date material? Every instructor is responsible for the preparation of his or her own program and ISM has not published new instructor materials for the 2014 update. So be sure to ask if the instructor you are considering has invested the time and effort to update their program consistent with the nearly 400 changes in the new 2014 Study Guide. No matter how you approach your certification exam preparation, it will require an investment of your time and money. But don't let that dissuade you. It is an investment in your career and your future that could pay big dividends. Good luck. Dr. Wade Ferguson is Vice-President of Training and Principal Trainer for Erv Lewis Associates, LLC, a provider of value-based training and consulting for the international purchasing and supply chain management community. All services are strongly based on the knowledge that a strategically managed Purchasing and Supply Management function can be a competitive weapon on behalf of the organization. All ELA principal certification trainers are CPSM certified, have taken the ISM T3 training class, have decades of real-world experience and have proven track records in the classroom. The ELA CPSM training programs were developed by H. Ervin Lewis, previous member of the ISM Certification Committee and co-author of the CPSM Instructor Kit. All programs have been updated to comply with the 2014 CPSM Study Guide. NOTE: CPSM and CPSD are registered trademarks of the Institute for Supply Management Please check out our website at www.ervlewisassociates.com
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AuthorDr. Wade C. Ferguson, is President and Principal Educator for ELA. He is an educator, trainer, and former SCM practicioner, passionate about helping supply chain professionals maximize their strategic value contribution. Archives
May 2018
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