CTSC: APICS Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain

What is the CTSC?

Supply chains have faced significant disruptions in recent years. Now more than ever before, supply chain professionals need to become transformational leaders with skills in systems thinking, digital fluency and analytical methods for all types of supply chains.

Why earn the CTSC?

Earning the CTSC demonstrates your expertise in supply chain strategy, proves your ability to lead a major transformation project and sets you apart from the competition—paving the way for new professional opportunities.

The program leverages components of globally recognized industry standards, including the ASCM SCOR Digital Standard (DS), Enterprise Standards for Sustainability and the Digital Capabilities Model (DCM) to:

◉ Identify risks and opportunities, and select the appropriate frameworks, models and approaches to effect transformation

◉ Apply systems thinking to develop, analyze and validate concept alternatives for transformation

◉ Manage skills, roles, responsibilities and infrastructure needed for successful supply chain transformation

◉ Identify tools and technologies to enable effective supply chain transformation

◉ Identify and implement strategies for reinforcing and replicating improvements

Is the CTSC Program Right for You?

The CTSC program is for supply chain professionals currently assisting, supporting, initiating or executing a supply chain transformation within their organization or would like to gain the necessary skills to participate in a transformation project.

CTSC: APICS Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain

APICS CTSC Exam Summary:

Exam Name	APICS Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain
Exam Code	CTSC
Exam Fee
Exam Duration	210 Minutes
Number of Questions	150
Passing Score	300 / 350
Format	Multiple Choice Questions
Sample Questions	APICS Transformation for Supply Chain Exam Sample Questions and Answers
Practice Exam	APICS Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC) Practice Test

APICS Transformation for Supply Chain Syllabus Topics:

Topic	Details
Supply Chain Transformation Overview - 33%
This section encompasses the fundamentals of supply chain transformation, from knowledge of frameworks, benchmarking tools, and optimization roadmaps to an understanding of security and risk management considerations and key organizational drivers. Supply Chain Transformation Overview also includes skills, roles, and responsibilities required of transformation leaders.
Supply Chain Transformation Introduction	- Define and Classify the Types of Supply Chains - Learn the Supply Chain Maturity Stages - Explore Business Cases for Transformation
Supply Chain Transformation Strategy Overview	- Understand Organizational Supply Chain Strategies ◉ Market types ◉ Strategy types ◉ Supply chain strategic components (examples include goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), action plans, and strategy maps) - Comprehend Organizational Value Proposition ◉ Suppliers ◉ Service providers ◉ Product and service operations ◉ Intermediaries ◉ Customers ◉ Supply chain network - Research Models, Frameworks, and Benchmarking Tools ◉ Balanced scorecard ◉ ASCM SCOR Digital Standard (SCOR DS) and SCORmark ◉ Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) ◉ ASCM Enterprise Standards for Sustainability ◉ ISO standards ◉ ASCM Digital Capabilities Model (DCM) for Supply Networks ◉ Capabilities Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) ◉ American Productivity & Quality Center (APQC) supply chain planning benchmark - Explore Cost and Service Optimization Roadmaps ◉ Lean ◉ Six sigma ◉ Theory of constraints (TOC) ◉ Total quality management (TQM) ◉ Agile operations ◉ Project management - Understand Organizational Design ◉ Organizational types and size ◉ Organization structure and hierarchy ◉ Talent assessment and alignment ◉ Collaboration mechanisms ◉ Performance management models - Understand Risk Management Methodology ◉ Risk context ◉ Risk management framework ◉ Risk identification, analysis, and evaluation ◉ Risk treatment options - Understand Supply Chain Security Landscape ◉ Information security ◉ Cybersecurity ◉ Physical security ◉ Counterfeits
The Drivers of Supply Chain Transformation	- Recognize the Internal and External Organizational Context ◉ Tools and models for understanding context ◉ Market and customer segmentation ◉ Culture and capabilities ◉ Technologies - Discuss Benchmarking and Relative Performances ◉ Customer satisfaction and retention ◉ Efficiency and effectivenes ◉ Supply chain costs ◉ Growth - Outline Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility CSR) Requirements
Supply Chain Transformation Leadership and Culture	- Identify Supply Chain Transformation Leadership Skills - Understand Organizational Culture to Enable Transformation Efforts
Preparing for Supply Chain Transformation - 41%
This section includes important tasks that must be completed prior to implementing a supply chain transformation. This includes selecting drivers and KPIs, performing gap analysis to identify the current and future supply chain states, and initiating projects and engaging stakeholders. Stakeholder needs are established and serve as guiding signals for supply chain transformation, and portfolio governance and project prioritization are initiated.
Select Supply Chain Transformation Drivers	- Macroeconomics - Legal and Regulatory Landscape - Geopolitical - Industry and Market Characteristics - Voice of the Customer (VOC) and Voice of the Process (VOP) - Strategic Imperatives - Sustainability - Digitization - Process and Performance Metrics Benchmark
Assess Supply Chain Current State	- Perform Gap Assessments - Conduct Maturity Assessments - Identify Common Misalignments
Conceptualize the Future State Supply Chain Operation Model	- Perform Process and Geographic Mapping - Develop Modeling and Simulations - Analyze Alternatives - Refine the Target Value and Benefits
Identify Initiatives to Address Gaps	- Identify Transformation Initiatives - Scope Using Data and Strategic Assessment - Prioritize Initiatives - Define To-Be State Metrics to Analyze As-Is Performance in Detail
Initiate Transformation Workstreams and Projects	- Create Project Charters - Set Transformation Program Kickoff and Milestones - Develop Resource Management Plan(s) - Document Communication Plan(s) - Document Change Management Plan(s) - Create Stakeholder Management Plan(s)
Develop and Iterate Transformation Preliminary Business Case(s)	- Set Targeted Value Drivers - Quantify Financial Value of Supply Chain Improvements - Determine Resources Needed - Estimate Cost and Schedule - Select KPIs - Craft Messaging Content
Select Supply Chain Transformation Framework(s)
Develop Supply Chain Transformation Roadmap(s)	- Assemble Project Portfolio - Validate Costs, Schedules, Resources, and KPIs
Develop Supply Chain Transformation Detailed Business Case(s)	- Specify Supply Chain Value Drivers - Assess Financial Value of Supply Chain Improvements - Conduct Analysis of Alternatives
Draft Execution Plan(s)
Establish and Align Portfolio Governance	- Define Portfolio - Prioritize the Projects - Determine Target Value and Benefits - Establish Oversight Mechanisms and Frequencies
Executing Supply Chain Transformation - 15%
To implement the transformation effort, transformation leaders need to apply systems thinking and a variety of tools to develop, analyze, verify, and validate concept alternatives for transformation. Training needs are assessed and addressed, incentives are identified, and governance and risk management frameworks are implemented.
Adopt a Change Management Plan	- Tailor Change Management Process - Assign Roles and Responsibilities ◉ Change control board (CCB) ◉ Change sponsor ◉ Change agents and champions - Confirm Process and Channels of Communication ◉ Internal communication ◉ External communication - Provide Training ◉ Development of tailored job descriptions ◉ Training needs assessment ◉ Implementation of training program ◉ Pre- and post-training program evaluation - Identify and Implement Incentives ◉ Intrinsic motivators ◉ Extrinsic motivators
Design and Implement Supply Chain Transformation Workstreams and Projects	- Collaborate with Internal and External Stakeholders - Design and Test Solutions ◉ Supply chain architecture ◉ Mock-up and prototyping process and flow ◉ Network modeling and simulations ◉ Pilot project execution - Implement Project KPIs - Implement Individual Projects - Scale-Up to Enterprise-Wide Solutions
Implement Governance and Risk Management Framework	- Set Portfolio and Project Management Governance - Implement Portfolio and Project Risk Management - Institute Supply Chain Information Security - Establish Resilient Supply Chain Benchmarks Obtain ASCM Enterprise Certification for Sustainability
Review of Supply Chain Transformation - 11%
Upon completion of transformation projects, careful assessments of the planning, designing, and execution phases of the project are necessary to validate the maturity of the supply chain transformation. Lessons learned are incorporated into the next phase or stage of transformation to continually improve the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the supply chain transformation.
Assess the Transformation	- Review and Provide Feedback on Project Portfolio Performance ◉ Critical success factors and KPIs ◉ Tracking mechanisms - Assess Supply Chain Transformation Maturity ◉ Maturity rating ◉ Assessment and audit results
Communicate Results with Internal and External Stakeholders
Reflect on the Transformation	- Gather Feedback - Document Lessons Learned - Implement Continual Improvement - Identify Future Initiatives