Understanding CPCM Scenario Questions
Breakout Session # D-17
Dr. Mike Criss, CPCM, C.P.M, CSI
Marge Rumbaugh, CPCM and Fellow
July 31, 2012
11:15 – 12:30
1
Scenario Question Presentation Topics
1. Bloom’s Taxonomy & CPCM Questions
–
Knowledge/Comprehension vs. Application/Analysis
2. Critical Reading Tips & Techniques
–
Scenario reading tips
3. Analytical Thinking Concepts applied to CPCM
Exam
4. Sample Scenario and Questions
5. Question Distribution and Frequency
2
Scenario Question Overview
1. Why is NCMA using scenario questions?
2. What is a scenario question?
3. How do I study for scenario questions?
3
Why Is NCMA Using Scenario Questions?
• NCMA wants the exam to require higher
order thinking skills.
• Candidates must not only understand
the FAR, but also be able to apply and
analyze the FAR and sound contract
management principals.
4
Bloom’s Taxonomy
The ability to judge the value of material
for a given purpose.
The ability to put parts together to form a
new whole.
The ability to break down material into its
component parts; can distinguish between facts
and inferences
z
The ability to use learned material in the work
place.
The ability to grasp the meaning of material.
Remembering previously learned material
5
What Is A Scenario Question?
• Scenario Questions are based on facts from
case law
– They are not “made up” scenarios based on one
person’s opinion.
• They ask application/analysis level
questions:
– WHY is something wrong?
– WHAT should a contract manager do in this
situation?
6
Certified Professional Contract Manger
• The CPCM certification is most appropriate for
contracting professionals who have
– mastered the majority of the contract management
competencies in the Contract Management Body of
Knowledge (CMBOK),
– extensive business education and training, and
– a minimum of 5 years of experience.
7
Remembering
• Retrieving, recalling or recognizing knowledge from
memory.
• Knowledge level of learning involves:
–
–
–
–
–
Remembering
Memorizing
Recognizing
Recalling information
Describe
8
Understanding
• Understand the meaning, translation, interpolation,
and interpretation of instructions and problems.
State a problem in one's own words.
• Comprehension level of learning involves:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Distinguishing,
Explaining,
Generalizing,
Giving an example,
Interpreting, and
Summarizing
9
Applying
• Learned material is used through simulations or
case studies to solve problems.
• Application learning level involves:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Illustrating
Completing
Relating
Administering
Articulating
Preparing.
10
Analyzing
• Breaking material or concepts into parts,
determining how the parts relate or interrelate
to one another.
• Analysis level of learning involves:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Differentiating
Comparing
Contrasting
Explaining
Prioritizing
Analyzing
11
Remembering Level CPCM Question
• Which Act requires federal agencies to
conduct market research and acquisition
planning?
a. Truth in Negotiations Act
b. Procurement Integrity Act
c. Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act
d. Competition in Contracting Act
12
Understanding Level CPCM Question
• Submitting an offer below anticipated
costs expecting to increase the contract
amount after award though change
orders is also called
a. Buying in.
b. Value Engineering Change Proposal.
c. Kickback.
d. Contingent fee.
13
Critical Reading Tips &
Techniques
Critical Reading
• The reading process used to discern textual
content and to analyze and evaluate reading
material is commonly called critical reading.
15
Critical Reading Tips for
CPCM Scenario Questions
1. Skim the scenario and questions
2. Read with purpose
•
Identify the main idea
3. Analyze the content
•
Differentiate and summarize the information
provided
16
Skimming Strategies
• Skim the case study to understand the
content.
• Identify the main topic by looking for key
words.
• Skim the questions so you know what facts
to find.
17
Read with Purpose
• You must first determine the main idea of the case
before you can effectively apply higher order
critical thinking skills (application/analysis).
• How do the case facts coincide with what you
already know?
• Prior Knowledge + Predictions = Comprehension
18
Analyze the Content
• Carefully read the scenario
• Identify cause and effect
• Predict a logical conclusion to the case.
– Your conclusion should be founded on evidence
in the scenario and not on your own opinions,
likes, or dislikes.
19
Analytical Thinking
20
Analytical Thinking Skills
• Analytical thinking: the abstract separation of
a whole into its constituent parts in order to
study the parts and their relations
• Analytical thinking skills: Analyzing, inferring,
interpreting, & explaining,
21
Analytical Thinking & CPCM Scenarios
• Ask the following questions when reading
scenarios
– What is most important about this scenario?
• Identify key points and terms
• What are possible subsidiary points?
– What is a probable outcome of the issue
presented?
– Identify cause and effect
22
Analytical Thinking & CPCM Scenarios
• You need to be able to:
– Evaluate the scenario
– Break it down into key components
– Consider various ways of approaching and
resolving the problem
– Decide the most appropriate answer to the
question
23
Analytical Thinking & CPCM Scenarios
• Analytical and critical thinking skills help you
to evaluate the problem and to make
decisions.
• A logical and methodical approach is best to
evaluate scenarios
– Draw on your academic and subject matter
knowledge to identify solutions.
24
Putting it all together
Critical
Reading
Skills
Subject Matter
Knowledge
CPCM
Work
Experience
Analytical
Thinking
Skills
25
Putting it all together
• Case study scenario questions rely on your ability
to critically read the scenario and analyze the facts.
• Determine the main point of the case.
– Know how to apply laws and key terms
• Determine the problem to be solved.
• Consider a possible course of action or solution.
26
• Sample Scenario and Questions
27
Case Study Scenario Example (Slide 1 of
5)
Memorex Corporation protests a modification issued by a
federal agency, under a contract option to acquire USB flash
drives. The modification substituted a newer type drive and
changed the terms of the contract. Memorex contends that
the agency should have procured the newer model flash
drives competitively rather than by modifying the option.
[Key Point: Contract changes issue.]
28
Case Study Scenario Example (Slide 2 of 5)
The agency awarded a contract to Storage
Technology Corporation (STC) to purchase storage
resource management solutions including data back
up and storage. Ten months later, the agency
exercised an option in the contract to acquire more
storage resources to provide additional storage. The
agency deferred delivery of the option quantity to a
later date.
29
Case Study Scenario Example (Slide 3 of 5)
After the agency exercised the option, but before
delivery of the option quantity, the agency
experienced problems with the already-installed
initial quantity and decided it could not accept the
option quantity.
[Key Point: Contract administration issue about
acceptance.]
30
Case Study Scenario Example (Slide 4 of
5)
The agency also determined that it could not establish STC
responsibility or liability under the purchase contract for the
problems with the storage resource management solutions.
While the agency was debating whether to terminate the
option and expect a claim from STC, or to negotiate a
settlement, the agency declined to accept delivery under
the option on the last extended delivery date. STC
asserted that the agency's failure to take delivery was a
breach of the contract. The agency and STC eventually
agreed to modify STC's contract.
• [Key Point: Contract termination.]
31
Case Study Scenario Example (Slide 5 of 5)
The modification substitutes USB flash drives for the storage
resource equipment and converts the option from a
negotiated acquisition to a commercial item contract.
[Key Point: Acquisition method.]
Memorex contends that the modification so changed the
nature of the contract that it should have been the subject of
a competitive procurement.
[Key Point: potential cardinal change.]
32
Scenario Question 1
• What should the agency have done when they
determined that the contract terms did not establish
responsibility or liability for the problem with the
original drives?
a. Issue a Show Cause notice & begin default termination
proceedings for not delivering supplies in the time specified.
b. Reject the disk drives and require the contractor to repair
them at their own expense.
c. Terminate the contract for convenience and resolicit the
requirement.
d. Terminate for default and charge excess reprocurement
costs.
33
Scenario Question 2
• Did the agency breach the contract by not taking
delivery of the option quantity?
a. Yes. The agency issued the contract modification exercising
the option thereby making it a contractual requirement.
b. Yes. the agency’s new computer center was not available to
receive the shipment thereby creating an excusable delay.
c. No. Both parties agreed to the delay and extension using a
bilateral modification.
d. No. Memorex protested the option exercise modification
making it null and void.
34
How Do I Study For Scenario Questions?
• Read voraciously, especially case law.
– http://www.wifcon.com/ is an excellent resource
for case law.
• When you’re reading:
– Apply Critical Reading Techniques
– Use Analytical Thinking Skills
35
CPCM Question
Distribution & Frequency
CPCM Question Distribution
Competency
Pre-Award
# Scenario
Questions
10
# Conventional
Questions
24
Acquisition
8
Planning/Strategy
Post Award
10
26
Specialized
4
28
Business
NA
44
Total
32
147
25
37
Pre-Award CPCM Question Frequency
CMBOK Competency
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
Number of Questions
8
8
7
1
4
2
2
2
38
Acquisition Planning/Strategy
CPCM Question Frequency
CMBOK Competency
Number of Questions
2.1
10
2.2
6
2.3
5
2.4
3
2.5
5
39
Post-Award CPCM Question Frequency
CMBOK
Competency
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
Number
of
Questions
2
8
8
3
1
CMBOK
Competency
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
Number
of
Questions
3
6
2
1
1
40
Specialized Knowledge
CPCM Question Frequency
CMBOK
Competency
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
Number
of
Questions
3
4
1
3
4
CMBOK
Competency
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
Number
of
Questions
3
1
6
1
1
5
41
Business CPCM Question Frequency
CMBOK Competency
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
Number of Questions
6
6
5
5
5
6
5
6
42
Summary
1. Bloom’s Taxonomy & CPCM Questions
–
Knowledge/Comprehension vs. Application/Analysis
2. Critical Reading Tips & Techniques
–
Scenario reading tips
3. Analytical Thinking Concepts applied to CPCM
Exam
4. Sample Scenario and Questions
5. Question Distribution and Frequency
43