Overview

Organisations can create advanced category management and strategic sourcing processes and systems, but they have to be managed by individuals with the technical and behavioural skills to undertake the required activities and tasks professionally.


To support this, the ICA Index® offers a unique web-based approach for the assessment and benchmarking of individual competencies in purchasing and supply chain management (PSCM). This on-line tool allows organisations to understand individual competence gaps and training needs.


The on-line tool assesses individual competence in 9 areas of pre- and post-contractual procurement and supply chain management:

  • Strategic Understanding & Segmentation
  • Defining Business Needs & Demand Options
  • Supply Market Analysis & Assessment
  • Sourcing Options Development & Selection
  • Sourcing Option Implementation
  • Negotiation & Contract Award
  • Performance Management
  • Relationship Transition & Exit
  • Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Undertaking an ICA Index Assessment

The tool provides clients with comparative benchmark scores for each individual member of staff against 158 world-class PSCM skill and capability attributes, showing current basic and advanced competence levels. The self-assessment is usually followed by an independent audit and detailed improvement report by IIAPS.


The ICA Index® is based on a gap analysis methodology that benchmarks the current experience and competence of individual staff against world-class standards for advanced (strategic) and basic (tactical) PSCM skills and capabilities, as well as against defined and agreed job role profiles within an organisation.


Online Self-Assessment and IIAPS Audit

Individuals undertake a self-assessment of their competence online by answering a series of questions. This is followed by a rigorous audit by IIAPS, which will review the inputted responses to ensure accuracy and consistency across the organisation.


The tool automatically benchmarks all staff against one another, against world-class competence standards, and against the individual's current role profile. The comparison can also be made against predefined characteristics (e.g. PSCM role, business function, business unit or department).



The ICA Index® also provides guidance for individuals on their current strengths and weaknesses, and provides organisations with an immediate analysis of current competence gaps in PSCM, with an organisation-wide training needs assessment for all of the staff assessed.


After analysing individual skill and competence gaps it is then possible to aggregate individual scores to identify team, functional and organisation-wide PSCM training needs, as shown below:



IIAPS provides a range of e-Learning Resources and face-to-face Training Master Classes and Advanced Belt Qualifications to close all identified skills and competence gaps.



© IIAPS/Robertson Cox Ltd., 2017. All Rights Reserved.