Assessment
Competence is assessed using 4 mechanisms:
Audit of Sourcematix® Simulation Use
All of the work undertaken by a candidate within the Sourcematix® Simulation learning environment is audited and assessed against world-class standards.
International Green & Red Belt Project Reports
Each candidate has to complete 4 Project Reports (of a maximum of 3000 words each) for assessment when studying for either the International Green or Red Belt qualifications. Each of these reports simulates what is good practice when managing in the 8-Step strategic sourcing process:
- The 1st Project Report normally has to be completed at the end of Step 1 (Sourcing Strategy Business Case)
- The 2nd Project Report normally has to be completed at the end of Step 4 (Market Testing Business Case)
- The 3rd Project Report has to be completed at the end of Step 6 (Contract Award Business Case)
- The 4th Project Report has to be completed at the end of Step 8 (Strategy Review & Lessons Learned Report)
To receive the International Green Belt qualification each of the 4 Project reports must be satisfactorily completed with a minimum of a pass grade for a single category of spend case study. If a pass grade is not achieved at the first attempt, one re-sit is possible for each of the Project Reports.
To receive the International Red Belt qualification, a candidate must first achieve International Green Belt status, and then each of the 4 Project reports must be satisfactorily completed again with a minimum of a pass grade, but now for a complex project/new product, with multiple categories of spend case study. If a pass grade is not achieved at the first attempt, one re-sit is possible for each of the Project Reports.
International Black Belt Examination
There are two stages of assessment for the award of the International Black Belt qualification. The first is the achievement of a pass grade in the Examination, which covers all aspects of the training provided. One re-sit is possible if a pass grade is not achieved at the first attempt.
International Black Belt Dissertation
The second element is a Dissertation (5000 words maximum) on world-class and best-in-class purchasing and supply management. This can involve use of the Sourcematix® Simulation environment to develop a sourcing strategy for a 'live' category of spend, or it can be on a selected topic in purchasing and supply management. One re-submission is possible if a pass grade is not achieved at the first attempt.
All of the assessed work is also available for current and (if required) prospective employers to review.
All assessment is overseen by our Academic & Industry Advisory Board, which is drawn from purchasing and supply management academics from major Universities, and from practitioners, who have themselves achieved the MIIAPS international standard.
Grading System
To achieve the International Black Belt qualification there are, therefore, 10 Assessment elements (8 Project Reports, a Final Examination and a Final Dissertation). We currently use the following grading system for the assessment of all 10 elements:
- A Grade: 85% - 100%
- B Grade: 65% - 84%
- C Grade: 50% - 64%
- Pass: 40% - 49%
- Fail: Less than 40% (1 re-sit possible per Module)
International Black Belt Final Grade Boundaries
- Distinction: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score between 841 and 1000
- Merit: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score between 641 and 840
- Pass: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score between 400 and 640
- Fail: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score of 399 or lower
International Red Belt Final Grade Boundaries
- Distinction: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score between 673 and 800
- Merit: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score between 513 and 672
- Pass: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score between 320 and 512
- Fail: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score of 319 or lower
International Green Belt Final Grade Boundaries
- Distinction: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score between 337 and 400
- Merit: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score between 257 and 336
- Pass: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score between 160 and 256
- Fail: Awarded for those obtaining an overall score of 159 or lower
Candidates can, therefore, achieve different grades (Distinction, Merit or Pass) within each of the International Green Belt, Red Belt and Black Belt qualifications.