The objective of CIOP certification program is to equip the supply chain professionals on all matters pertaining to inventory. They not only master the inventory management concepts but also become proficient in tools and techniques to optimize inventory. Inventory Management Body of Knowledge (IMBoK) forms the foundation of CIOP certification. IMBoK v2.0 is the outcome of IISCM’s research team and inputs gathered from supply chain professionals from industry and academia. Companies across the globe rely on CIOP trained and certified professionals to instil inventory best practices in people, processes, and systems. CIOPs act as a custodian of Enterprise Inventory Policy and significantly improve customer satisfaction, minimize production disruptions, and maximise profitability of organisations.

CIOP Estimate in INR

CIOP Estimate in USD

Syllabus for Certified Inventory Optimization Professional (CIOP) Examination.

Important Links for Certified Inventory Optimisation Professional 

Certified Inventory Optimisation Professional (CIOP) Overview:
The process of attaining Certified Inventory Optimisation Professional credential involves five steps.
1. Enrol for the CIOP certification
2. Attend the CIOP training sessions
3. Prepare using Learning Management System and reference books
4. Schedule your examination
5. Take CIOP online, proctored examination
6. Get CIOP certified


CIOP Learning Management System: 
CIOP LMS and Training are complementary to each other. The focus of LMS is to teach the CIOP aspirants about the inventory concepts to gain the knowledge framework and the purpose of training is to enable the aspirants to apply that knowledge in a real-life scenario. The lessons in LMS are organised with reference to the topics of IMBoK v2.0. The lessons are presented as reading materials, audios, videos, worksheets, quizzes, and reference articles. LMS also contains three mock CIOP examinations for the practices of CIOP aspirants.


CIOP Training
CIOP trainings are offered in classroom and online formats across the globe by IISCM’s Registered Training Providers. The purpose of the training is to equip the CIOP aspirants to apply the IMBoK in real life scenarios to solve inventory management problems in their organisation.


CIOP Training and Examination Syllabus
CIOP Learning Management System, Training and Examination are all based on IMBoK v2.0. IMBoK contains 13 modules and you are currently reviewing this page. You can find the detailed syllabus in the below sections.

CIOP Examination
CIOP is a three-hours, online proctored examination. You need to answer 120 scenario-based questions in 180 minutes. The questions are at three levels – Knowledge, Application and Consulting.


CIOP Proctored Exam Instructions
One you are fully prepared, you can appear for the CIOP online, proctored examination.


CIOP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here is a list of frequently asked questions for your review.


Become a CIOP Registered Training Provider (RTP)
One need to be certified as CIOP or any other global certifications related to inventory, and supply chain management can become a RTP.

Module-1: Introduction to Materials Management [7 Questions]
IM101 Introduction
IM102 Operating Environment
IM103 The Supply Chain Concept
IM104 What is Materials Management
IM105 Case Study 1.1 : Fran's Flowers

Sample Scenario Question for Module-1

Contributions from 200+ Supply Chain Heads, Directors and Managers from diverse industries.

Module-2: Production Planning System  [7 Questions]
IM201  Introduction
IM202 Manufacturing Planning and Control System
IM203 Sales and Operations Planning
IM204 Manufacturing Resource Planning
IM205 Enterprise Resource Planning
IM206 Making the Production Plan
IM207 Case Study 2.1: Meridian Water Pumps
IM208 Case Study 2.2 : Williams 3D Printers

Sample Scenario Question for Module-2

Comprehensive Body of Knowledge on all matters pertaining to inventory management.

Module-3: Master Scheduling [9 Questions]
IM301 Introduction
IM302 Relationship to Production Plan
IM303 Developing a Master Production Schedule
IM304 Production Planning
IM305 Master Scheduling and Sales
IM306 Case Study 3.1 : Acme Water Pumps
IM307 Case Study 3.2 : The MasterChip Electronics Company
IM308 Case Study 3.3: Macarry's Bicycle Company

Sample Scenario Question for Module-3

Today’s Supply Chains are driven by technology, hence SAP MM, IBM SPSS Statistics, Microsoft Visio and Tableau are included.

Module-4: Material Requirements Planning  [12 Questions]
IM401 Introduction
IM402 Bills of Material 
IM403 Material Requirements Planning Process
IM404 Using the Material Requirements Plan
IM405 Case Study 4.1 : Apix Ploybob Company
IM406 Case Study 4.2 : Benzie Products Company

The preparation of IMBoK contents is supported by a state-of-the-art Learning Management System.

Module-5: Capacity Management  [12 Questions]
IM501 Introduction
IM502 Definition of Capacity
M503 Capacity Planning
IM504 Capacity Requirements Planning
IM505 Capacity Available
IM506 Capacity Required (Load)
IM507 Scheduling Orders
IM508 Making the Plan
IM509 Case Study 5.1 : Wescott Products

The number of questions that appears in CIOP examination from each module is indicated in brackets next to the module name.

Module-6: Production Activity Control [12 Questions]
IM601 Introduction
IM602 Data Requirements
IM603 Scheduling
IM604 Load Leveling
IM605 Scheduling in Non manufacturing Setting
IM606  Scheduling Bottlenecks
IM607  Theory of Constraints and Drum-Buffer-Rope
IM608  Implementation  
IM609 Control
IM610 Production Reporting
IM611 Product Tracking
IM612 Measurement Systems
IM613 Case Study 6.1 Johnston Products
IM614 Case Study 6.2 Crofts Printing Company
IM615 Case Study 6.3 Melrose Products

IMBoK is the collection of global best practices that can be readily applied in your organisation.

Module-7: Purchasing  [12 Questions]
IM701 Introduction 
IM702 Establishing Specifications
IM703 Functional Specification Description
IM704 Selecting Suppliers
IM705 Price Determination
IM706 Impact of Material Requirements Planning on Purchasing
IM707 Environmentally Responsible Purchasing
IM708 Expansion of Purchasing into Supply Chain Management
IM709 Some Organizational Implications of Supply Chain Management
IM710 Case Study 6.1 Johnston Products
IM711 Case Study 7.1 : Let's Party!
IM712 Case Study 7.2 : The Connery Company 

25+ Supply Chain Analysis techniques are part of IMBoK to enable the reader to make data-driven decisions.

Module-8: Forecasting and Demand Management[6 Questions]
IM801 Introduction
IM802 Demand Management
IM803 Demand Forecasting
IM804 Characteristics of Demand
IM805 Principles of Forecasting
IM806 Collection and Preparation of Data
IM807 Forecasting Techniques
IM808 Some Important Intrinsic Techniques
IM809 Seasonality
IM810 Tracking the Forecast
IM811 Case Study 8.1 : Northcutt Bikes: The forecassting Problem
IM812 Case Study 8.2 : Hatcher Gear Company

All 120 questions of CIOP examination are scenario based multiple-choice questions.

Module-9: Inventory Fundamentals [9 Questions]
IM901 Introduction
IM902 Aggregate Inventory Management
IM903 Item Inventory Management
IM904 Inventory and the flow of Material
IM905 Supply and Demand Patterns
IM906 Functions of Inventories
IM907 Objectives of Inventory Management
IM908 Inventory Costs
IM909 Financial Statements and Inventory
IM910 ABC Inventory Control
IM911 Case Study 9.1 Randy Smith
IM912 Inventory Control Manager

There is a very thin line between enough and excess inventory, IMBoK will help you draw that line.

Module-10: Order Quantities [6 Questions]
IM1001 Introduction
IM1002 Economic Order Quantity
IM1003 Variations of the EOQ Model
IM1004 Quantity Discounts
IM1005 Order Quantities for Families of Product When Costs are Not Known
IM1006 Period Order Quantity

Sample Scenario Question for Module-10

IMBoK lays the foundation for data driven decisions in inventory management.

Module-11: Independent Demand Ordering Systems [6 Questions]
IM1101 Introduction
IM1102 Order Point System
IM1103 Determining Safety Stock
IM1104 Determining Service Levels
IM1105 Different Forecast and Lead-Time Intervals
IM1106 Determining When the Order Point is Reached
IM1107 Periodic Review System
IM1108 Distribution Inventory
IM1109 Case Study 11.1 : Carl's Computers

Sample Scenario Question for Module-11

Learning inventory best practices from other industries will help you to offer creative solutions in your domain.

IMBoK lays the foundation for data driven decisions in inventory management.

Module-13: Introduction to Quality [10 Questions]
IM1301 Introduction
IM1302 Why Quality
IM1303 Manufacturing Versus Service Quality
IM1304 Quality Terminology
IM1305 History of Quality
IM1306 Quality Costs
IM1307 Total Quality
IM1308 Case Study 11.1 : Quality Scenario in Two Restaurants 

Lack of clarity leads to conflicts on inventory matters. IMBoK equips you to bring a common shared understanding among your stakeholders.

Module-14: Introduction to Process [6 Questions]
IM1401 Understanding Process
IM1402 History
IM1403 Lean
IM1404 Six Sigma
IM1405 Process Capability
IM1406 Factors Affecting Process Management
IM1407 Key Issues
IM1408 Case Study 14. 1: Kaveri Hotel

Module-15:  Total Quality Management [6 Questions]
IM1501 Introduction
IM1502 What is Quality
IM1503 Total Quality Management
IM1504 Quality Cost Concepts
IM1505 Variation as a Way of Life
IM1506 Process Capability
IM1507 Process Control
IM1508 Sample Inspection
IM1509 ISO 9000: 2015
IM1510 ISO 26000:2010
IM1511 ISO 14001:2015
IM1512 Benchmarking
IM1513 Six Sigma
IM1514 Quality Function Deployment
IM1515 The relationship of Lean Production
IM1516 TQM
IM1517 ERP
IM1518 Case Study 15. 1: Accent Oak Furniture Company

Module-16: Lean Production [6 Questions]
IM1601 Introduction
IM1602 Lean Production
IM1603 Waste
IM1604 The Lean Production Environment
IM1605 Manufacturing Planning and Control in a Lean Production Environment
IM1606 Comparing ERP
IM1607 Kanban and Theory of Constraints
IM1608 Case Study 16. 1: Murphy Manufacturing
 

Notable IMBoK v2.0 Contributors:
Gurunathan M, Supply Chain Consultant and Visiting Faculty at KREA University
Pushpaveni Puttaswamy, IT Architect, Dell Technologies
Rajesh Singhmar, Supply Chain Head, Godrej
R Krishna Raj, Senior General Manager, Technical Service Group, Stanadyne India Private Limited
Sandeep Chatterjee, Asssociate Director, Deloitte
Sathyanarayanan.S, Associate Director, Cognizant Technology Solutions
Sudeep Gupta, Consultant, Impact Analytics
Yadu Kishan, Head Supply Chain at California Burrito