supply chain MANAGEMENT (Collegiate)

Supply Chain Management challenges members to demonstrate their understanding of the flow of goods, information, and finances within a supply chain through an objective test. This event covers topics such as logistics, procurement, inventory control, distribution, and the technologies and strategies that support efficient and effective supply chain operations.

Event Overview

Division: Collegiate
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes

Educational Alignments

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened Pencil, Computer, Conference-provided nametag, Photo identification, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code.

Items FBLA Must Provide: Test login information link & password.

Knowledge Areas

• Operations
• Project Management
• Purchasing
• Supply Chain Management’s Role in Business
• Distribution
• Supply Chain Management Activities
• Order-Fulfillment Processes
• Inventory Processes
• Transportation Strategies
Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 1st of the current program year.

·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.

·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.

·         Each chapter may submit six students in this event.

·         On the state level, each member can compete in up to three different events in the following combinations: three objective tests OR two objective tests and one presentation OR two objective tests and one production or one objective test and two production OR one objective test, one presentation, and one production. Students may enter the Christopher Heider, Rob Kelleher, Who’s Who event, and one Chapter event (Community Service, State of the Chapter) in addition to their above chosen events.

·         Picture identification (physical or digital: driver’s license, passport, state-issued identification, or school-issued identification) matching the conference nametag is required when checking in for competitive events.

·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled. This is up to the discretion of the proctor.

·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event on the state level is 4.

Event Administration

·         This event is an objective test administered prior to the SLC.

·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.

·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site; online calculators will be provided through the testing software.

Scoring

·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.

·         Results announced at the National Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the National Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·        Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If competing at the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/collegiate/competitive-events/

Study Guide: Knowledge Areas and Objectives

This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA. 

Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation 

MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation. 

Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly. 

Operations (5 test items)  

  • Explain the nature of operations (OP:189, LAP-OP-189) (CS)  

  • Discuss the role of ethics in operations (OP:190, LAP-OP-190) (SP)  

  • Describe the use of technology in operations (OP:191) (SP)  


Project Management (5 test items)  

  • Explain the nature of project management (OP:158, LAP-OP-158) (SP)  

  • Describe the role of ethics in project management (OP:675, LAP-OP-675) (SP)  

  • Plan project (OP:519, LAP-OP-519) (CS)  

  • Develop project plan (OP:001, LAP-OP-001) (SP)  

  • Evaluate project results (OP:159) (SP)  


Purchasing (15 test items)  

  • Explain the nature and scope of purchasing (OP:015, LAP-OP-015) (CS)  

  • Place orders/reorders (OP:016) (CS)  

  • Maintain inventory of supplies (OP:031) (CS)  

  • Explain the impact of the purchasing process on productivity (OP:247) (SP)  

  • Select vendors (OP:161) (SP)  

  • Discuss the nature of purchasing methods (OP:248) (SP)  

  • Describe business objectives/strategies that influence purchasing (OP:249) (SP)  

  • Describe the relationship between procurement and operations management activities (e.g., strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, supply chain management) (OP:486) (SP)  

Supply Chain Management’s Role in Business (10 test items)  

  • Explain the concept of supply chain (OP:443, LAP-OP-443) (CS)  

  • Explain the benefits of supply chain collaboration (OP:444) (SP)  

  • Describe the nature of supply chain management (OP:303, LAP-OP-303) (SP)  

  • Explain the impact of supply chains on business performance (OP:477, LAP-OP-477) (SP)  

Distribution (10 test items)  

  • Explain the nature and scope of distribution (OP:522) (CS)  

  • Describe the use of technology in distribution (OP:524) (SP)  

  • Explain legal considerations in distribution (OP:525) (SP)  

  • Describe ethical considerations in distribution (OP:526) (SP)  

Supply Chain Management Activities (15 test items)  

  • Explain the nature of order cycle time (OP:299) (SP)  

  • Describe the relationship between supply chain management and operations management (OP:304) (SP)  

  • Describe supply chain management strategies (OP:305) (SP)  

  • Use supply chain performance measures to evaluate achievement of goals (e.g., perfect order fulfillment, inventory turnover, cash-to-cash conversion cycle, fill rate) (OP:498) (SP)  

  • Describe risk factors and trends affecting supply chain systems (e.g., sustainability, geopolitical volatility, cyber security, artificial intelligence, automation) (OP:499, LAP-OP-499) (SP)  

  • Identify supply chain process improvement opportunities (OP:500) (SP)  

  • Evaluate supplier performance and compliance (OP:501) (SP)  

  • Implement supply chain management strategies (OP:306) (SP)  

Order-Fulfillment Processes (10 test items)  

  • Discuss the nature of capacity planning (OP:313) (SP)  

  • Describe factors impacting demand (OP:314) (SP)  

  • Use an information system for order fulfillment (OP:380) (CS)  

  • Fulfill orders (OP:381) (CS)  

Inventory Processes (10 test items)  

  • Explain storing considerations (OP:400) (CS)  

  • Explain the nature of warehousing (OP:401) (CS)  

  • Store inventory (OP:402) (CS)  

  • Explain shipping processes (OP:405) (CS)  

  • Describe inventory control systems (OP:413) (CS)  

  • Maintain inventory-control systems (OP:416) (SP)