APICS CTSC Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC) Exam Practice Test

air transport is generally more expensive than ocean transport, but also faster and more reliable1. Therefore, by acquiring more dedicated space on a cargo airline, the manufacturer can expect its transportation costs to increase, but also reduce its need for expedited delivery upgrades, which are usually costly and inefficient2.The other options are not likely to occur, as air transport does not necessarily increase the network path touches or decrease the demand volume growth.

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Supply chain

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According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, one of the best practices for communicating a supply chain transformation is to "use a variety of communication channels and methods to reach different audiences and reinforce key messages"1.This includes holding breakout group sessions with each group involving employees from different departments, as this can help to explain the specifics of the transformation, address any concerns or questions, and foster collaboration and buy-in across theorganization23.Distributing one common document by company email, requiring the topic be covered in each department’s monthly meeting, or conducting a one-time, all-company meeting with presentations by leadership may not be sufficient or effective to communicate the details and benefits of the transformation, as they may not cater to the different needs and preferences of the stakeholders, or allow for sufficient feedback and engagement23.

1: ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, page 14.2:Supply Chain Communication: 4 Effective Strategies for Better Supplier …3:10 Best Practices For Improving Supply Chain Management - IIENSTITU

According to the CTSC Enterprise and Supply Chain Management (ESCM) manual, perfect order fulfillment is a key performance indicator (KPI) that measures the percentage of orders that meet all the criteria for a perfect order, such as delivery time, quantity, quality, documentation, and invoice1.To calculate the perfect order fulfillment, we need to multiply the percentage of orders that meet each criterion, and then divide by 1001. In this case, the percentage of orders that meet each criterion are:

• Delivery time: 94/200 = 47%
• Quantity: 100/200 = 50%
• Quality: (200-34)/200 = 83%
• Documentation and invoice: 48/200 = 24%

Therefore, the perfect order fulfillment is:

47% x 50% x 83% x 24% / 100 = 4.7% x 24% = 1.13%

To express this as a percentage, we need to multiply by 100, so the final answer is:

1.13% x 100 = 113%

Therefore, the perfect order fulfillment for a total of 200 orders is 113%.

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supply chain transformation is the process of reimagining and redesigning the end-to-end supply chain operations to achieve higher levels of performance, efficiency, agility, and sustainability12. This requires a holistic and integrated approach that considers the interdependencies and trade-offs among the different supply chain functions, processes, and partners34.Therefore, the appropriate operational focus for supply chain transformation is to focus on supply chain integration and improving the supply chain overall, rather than on isolated metrics or segments. The other options are not wrong, but they are too narrow and may not capture the full potential of supply chain transformation.

According to the CTSC Enterprise and Supply Chain Management (ESCM) manual, a project charter is a document that helps to align the assumptions and expectations of executive sponsors, stakeholders, and supply chain transformation team members1.It provides a clear and concise description of the project’s scope, objectives, benefits, risks, deliverables, roles and responsibilities, and authority of the project manager1.It alsoserves as a formal authorization for the project and a communication tool for the project team and other stakeholders1.

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voice of the customer (VOC) is the process of gathering and implementing information about your customers’ expectations, needs and hopes2.Businesses use VOC programs to efficiently collect detailed market research about their customers and to improve their products or services based on the customer feedback2. This is an example of the successful use of VOC, as the company distributed surveys to understand what customers wanted, added online status information capability to their website to meet the customer demand, and sent a customer satisfaction survey to measure the impact of the improvement. This addition helped increase their customer base and repeat business, which shows the value of listening to the voice of the customer.

1:Voice of the Customer: Definition, Benefits and How-To Guide | Indeed.com2:What is the Voice of the Customer (VoC)? - Qualtrics

According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, ecological, ethical, and economic are the three major categories of practices that an organization should evaluate as it transforms its processes to be more sustainable.These categories are also known as the triple bottom line of sustainability, which measures the social, environmental, and financial impacts of an organization’s activities1.Ecological practices refer to the environmental aspects of sustainability, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and resource consumption, and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services12.Ethical practices refer to the social aspects of sustainability, such as respecting human rights, labor standards, and diversity, and promoting health, safety, and well-being of employees and communities13.Economic practices refer to the financial aspects of sustainability, such as creating value for stakeholders, ensuring fair and transparent transactions, and investing in innovation and development14.

1: ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, page 9.2:Environmental Sustainability: Definition and Importance - Investopedia3:Social Sustainability: Definition, Importance, and Examples - Investopedia4:Economic Sustainability: Definition, Importance, and Examples - Investopedia

According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, the implement phase of a supply chain transformation project involves defining the process control measures that will monitor the performance of the new or improved processes and ensure that they are aligned with the desired outcomes1.The other options are outputs of the assess phase (A and C) or the design phase (D) of a supply chain transformation project1.

1: ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, page 14.

According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, the SCOR framework consists of five phases: analyze, configure, optimize, implement, and evaluate.In the analyze phase, the key outputs are an as-is Level 3 process diagram, a scorecard, and competitive requirements1.The as-is Level 3 process diagram shows the current state of the supply chain processes in detail, using the SCOR standard definitions and symbols2.The scorecard measures the performance of the supply chain processes against the SCOR metrics and benchmarks3.The competitive requirements define the target performance levels for the supply chain processes based on the customer and market expectations4.

1: ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, page 13.2:SCOR Quick Reference Guide - APICS3:SCOR Digital Standard | ASCM4:Unlock Supply Chain Mgmt: Introducing SCOR Model | IIENSTITU

ETO is an operating model that involves designing and producing customized products or services based on the specific requirements of each customer1.ETO is suitable for customized offerings with infrequent demand, as it allows the organization to create unique and differentiated value propositions for each customer, and to avoid holdingexcess inventory of products that may not sell well2.ETO also enables the organization to leverage its engineering and innovation capabilities, and to charge a premium price for its customized solutions3.

The other options are not suitable for customized offerings with infrequent demand, as they involve standardizing some or all of the production process, which reduces the degree of customization and differentiation.MTS is an operating model that involves producing products in advance based on forecasted demand, and then selling them from stock1.MTO is an operating model that involves producing products only after receiving a customer order, but using standardized components and processes1.CTO is an operating model that involves producing products based on a customer order, but using a predefined set of options and configurations1.

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According to the CTSC Exam Content Manual1, the external boundary conditions that impact an organization’s core strategic vision include market size, customer requirements, legal and regulatory landscape, and competitive situation. These are the factors that define the external environment in which the organization operates and competes. They influence the organization’s strategic choices and capabilities.

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According to the CTSC exam content manual1, a competitive supply chain is one that delivers a customer value proposition superior to competitors, which means that itprovides a unique combination of benefits that customers value and are willing to pay for. A competitive supply chain also aligns its capabilities and resources with the customer value proposition, and continuously monitors and improves its performance.

According to the CTSC Enterprise and Supply Chain Management (ESCM) manual, human capital and talent is one of the most critical non-technological factors to execute a digital supply chain transformation1.Human capital and talent refers to the skills, knowledge, abilities, and attitudes of the people who work in the supply chain, as well as the processes and practices to attract, develop, and retain them1.A successful digital supply chain transformation requires a workforce that is capable of using and adapting to digital technologies, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, big data, and robotics1.It also requires a culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning1.Therefore, human capital and talent is essential for enabling and sustaining a digital supply chain transformation1.

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According to the ASCM, a RACI analysis is a tool that clarifies the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in a business process or activity1.RACI is an acronym for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed, which are the four types of participation that a stakeholder can have in a task2.A RACI analysis can help identify the gaps and overlaps in the assignment of tasks, and ensure that everyone knows what they are expected to do and who they need to communicate with1. In the case of the company that receives customer complaints, a RACI analysis can help them understand why their inquiries are being forwarded multiple times to different departments, and who is the right person or department to resolve them.A RACI analysis can also help them improve their customer service process and avoid confusion and frustration among customers and employees1. Therefore, performing a RACI analysis is the most appropriate activity to identify the gap.

Supply chain

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Total cost to serve is a supply chain metric that measures the total end-to-end supply chain cost of fulfilling an order for a specific customer or segment1.It includes all the costs incurred from sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, and delivery of the product or service2.Total cost to serve helps to identify the profitability and value of different customers or segments, and to optimize the supply chain processes and resources accordingly3.

1:Top Supply Chain Metrics & KPIs Benchmarking | Gartner2:Top 25 Supply Chain Metrics & KPIs For Your Dashboards - datapine3:A Comprehensive Guide to Supply Chain Metrics & KPIs

one of the most prominent characteristics of a digital supply chain is the access to latest point-of-sale (POS) data across the network.POS data refers to the information collected by retailers at the point of purchase, such as the product, quantity, price, date, time, and location of the transaction3.Access to this data enables digital supply chains to have real-time visibility of customer demand, inventory levels, and market trends, and to use advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to optimize planning, forecasting, replenishment, and delivery12.Access to POS data also helps digital supply chains to improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs, increase sales, and enhance collaboration among supply chain partners12.

According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, a business issue repository is a tool that helps an organization to study its strategic environment for establishing the scope of its supply chain transformation project.A business issue repository is defined as "a collection of business issues that are identified and prioritized by the organization’s leadership team and other key stakeholders"1.A business issue repository helps to align the supply chain transformation objectives with the organization’s vision, mission, and strategy, and to identify the gaps and opportunities for improvement in the current supply chain performance1.A business issue repository also helps to communicate the rationale and benefits of the transformation to the internal and external stakeholders, and to monitor and measure the progress and outcomes of the transformation1.

1: ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, page 14.

According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, a data steward is a key role within a digital supply chain transformation team that is responsible for the quality and accuracy of the data feeds.A data steward is defined as "an oversight or data governance role within an organization, and is responsible for ensuring the quality and fitness for purpose of the organization’s data assets, including the metadata for those data assets"1.A data steward may share some responsibilities with a data custodian, such as the awareness, accessibility, release, appropriate use, security and management of data1. A data steward would also participate in the development and implementation of data assets.A data steward may seek to improve the quality and fitness for purpose of other data assets their organization depends upon but is not responsible for1.Data stewards have a specialist role that utilizes an organization’s data governance processes, policies, guidelines and responsibilities for administering an organizations’ entire data in compliance with policy and/or regulatory obligations1.The overall objective of a data steward is the data quality of the data assets, datasets, data records and data elements1.This includes documenting metainformation for the data, such as definitions, related rules/governance, physical manifestation, and related data models (most of these properties being specific to an attribute/concept relationship), identifying owners/custodian’s various responsibilities, relations insight [definition needed] pertaining to attribute quality, aiding with project requirement data facilitation and documentation of capture rules1.Data stewards begin the stewarding process with the identification of the data assets and elements which they will steward, with the ultimate result being standards, controls and data entry1.The steward works closely with business glossary standards analysts (for standards), with data architect / modelers (for standards), with DQ analysts (for controls) and with operations team members (good-quality data going in per business rules) while entering data1.Data stewardship roles are common when organizations attempt to exchange data precisely and consistently between computer systems and to reuse data-related resources1. Master data management often [quantify] makes references to the need for data stewardship for its implementation to succeed.Data stewardship must have precise purpose, fit for purpose or fitness1.

1:Data steward - Wikipedia

Continuous improvement is a TQM principle that involves constantly seeking ways to enhance the quality of products, services, and processes by reducing waste, errors, and defects. A bottleneck in the production process is a sign of inefficiency and poor quality that can be improved by applying various tools and techniques such as lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or PDCA.

According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, a data-driven collaborative approach is one of the key enablers of digital supply chain transformation. It involves sharing dataacross the supply chain network, using advanced analytics to generate insights, and aligning processes and decisions based on data1. This can help reduce reaction time by improving visibility, agility, and efficiency in the supply chain.

According to the CTSC Exam Content Manual1, the Measure phase of the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology involves collecting data on current performance and issues. The Measure phase aims to establish a baseline for the process and quantify the gap between the current state and the desired state. The Measure phase also involves validating the measurement system, defining the process metrics, and calculating the process capability and sigma level. Option A, Control, is the phase that involves implementing and sustaining the improvements. Option B, Improve, is the phase that involves identifying and testing the solutions. Option C, Analyze, is the phase that involves analyzing the data and identifying the root causes.

According to the CTSC Exam Content Manual, one of the steps that should be completed before determining training needs is to assess key performance indicators (KPIs)1.KPIs are the metrics that measure the performance and progress of the supply chain transformation objectives and outcomes1.Assessing KPIs can help to identify the gaps and opportunities for improvement in the supply chain processes, functions, and roles, and to determine the training needs and priorities for the workforce2. The other options are not the steps that should be completed before determining training needs, as they are more related to the implementation and evaluation of the training plan.Developing an action plan is a step that follows the determination of training needs, as it outlines the specific actions, resources, and timelines for delivering the training3. Developing a training plan is a step that involves designing the training content, methods, and materials based on the training needs and objectives. Assessing performance management is a step that involves monitoring and reviewing the performance of the trainees and the training program, and providing feedback and recognition.

Sustainability

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one of the components of the Enterprise Standards for Sustainability is ethics. Ethics refers to the principles and values that guide the behavior and decisions of an organization and its stakeholders. Ethics is important for fostering mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders, as it involves respecting human rights, ensuring fair trade, preventing corruption, and promoting transparency and accountability. Therefore, a firm seeking to use the pillars of sustainability should consider ecology, economics, and ethics. Option A, leadership, is not a pillar of sustainability, but rather a skill or quality that can help achieve sustainability. Option C, risk, is not a pillar of sustainability, but rather a factor that can affect or be affected by sustainability. Option D, culture, is not a pillar of sustainability, but rather an aspect of social sustainability that relates to the beliefs, norms, and values of a society.

a digital twin is a virtual representation of a real-world object or system. These virtual models are used to digitally represent performance, identify inefficiencies, and design solutions to improve their physical counterparts. A digital twin is a digital model designed to accurately reflect a physical object. The object being studied—for example, a wind turbine—is outfitted with various sensors related to vital areas of functionality. These sensors produce data about different aspects of the physical object’s performance, such as energy output, temperature, weather conditions and more. This data is then relayed to a processing system and applied to the digital copy. Once informed with such data, the virtual model can be used to run simulations, study performance issues and generate possible improvements, all with the goal of generating valuable insights—which can then be applied back to the original physical object. A digital twin is a digital representation of a real-world entity or system. The implementation of a digital twin is an encapsulated software object or model that mirrors a unique physical object, process, organization, person or other abstraction.

According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, one of the first steps in developing a transformational supply chain strategy is to “determine the current and future needs and expectations of the customers, and align the supply chain strategy with the business strategy and customer value proposition” (p. 16). This helps to ensure that the supply chain transformation is customer-centric and focused on delivering value to the end users. The other options are also important, but they should be done after the initial determination of the customers’ needs.

According to the CTSC Learning System, one of the factors that affects the distribution costs is the cost of implementing the new materials flow network, which includes the costs of designing, building, and operating the network of warehouses, distribution centers, and transportation modes1.The cost of implementing the new materials flow network can be significant and should be included in the calculation of the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the distribution system1.The other factors listed in the question are not directly related to the distribution costs, but rather to the inventory costs, which are a separate component of the TCO1.

According to the CTSC Enterprise and Supply Chain Management (ESCM) manual, a thread diagram is a process view of the geographic map that illustrates the material flow, material strategy, and the planning process relationship1.A thread diagram shows the sequence of activities and decisions that are involved in transforming raw materials intofinished products and delivering them to customers1.It also shows the locations of the facilities, the transportation modes, the inventory policies, and the planning horizons1.A thread diagram helps to identify the key drivers and constraints of the supply chain performance, and to evaluate the trade-offs and synergies among different supply chain components1.

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According to the CTSC exam content manual1, when sharing performance metrics with customers, management needs to provide a balanced and comprehensive set of metrics, which means that the metrics should cover all aspects of the customer value proposition, such as quality, cost, delivery, flexibility, and innovation. The metrics should also be aligned with the customer’s expectations and objectives, and reflect the customer’s perspective and feedback. Providing a balanced and comprehensive set of metrics can help to build trust, transparency, and collaboration with customers, as well as to identify areas of improvement and opportunity.

the perfect order fulfillment is a percentage that measures how many orders meet all the criteria for a perfect order, such as delivery location, product condition, documentation, etc. The formula for calculating the perfect order fulfillment is to multiply the individual performance metrics for each criterion and then multiply by 100. However, the question asks for the formula to calculate the perfect order rate, which is a slightly different metric that measures how many order lines (or items) meet all the criteria for a perfect order. The formula for calculating the perfect order rate is to divide the total number of perfect order lines by the total number of order lines and then multiply by 100.

According to the CTSC Exam Content Manual, avoidance cost is one of the metrics used to measure the value created by the procurement function1.Avoidance cost is defined as the value created by reducing or eliminating cost increases sought by suppliers over and above prevailing baseline cost1.Avoidance cost is also known as cost avoidance, which is a proactive measure to prevent unnecessary expenses or losses2.Avoidance cost is different from cost savings, which is the value created by reducing the actual cost paid to suppliers below the prevailing baseline cost1.Cost savings is also known as hard cost savings, which is actualized, quantifiable and verifiable3.

According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, when designing a new demand-driven supply chain, technologies should be evaluated after the supply chain is designed.This is because the supply chain design should be based on the customer needs, the business strategy, and the supply chain capabilities, not on the available technologies1.The technologies should be selected to support and enable the supply chain processes, not to dictate or constrain them1.Evaluating technologies after the supply chain is designed can help to avoid unnecessary costs, complexity, and risks, and to ensure alignment and integration across the supply chain network1.

1: ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, page 8.

According to the theory of constraints (TOC), a service company that is experiencing long wait times for customer service should identify and address the bottleneck in the customer service process1.A bottleneck is the activity or resource that limits the throughput or output of the entire system2.TOC provides a five-step process for improving any system by focusing on the bottleneck3. The steps are:

• Identify the system’s constraint: find the activity or resource that has the least capacity or the longest cycle time in the customer service process.
• Exploit the system’s constraint: make the most of the available capacity or time of the bottleneck, such as reducing idle time, errors, or rework.
• Subordinate everything else to the system’s constraint: align the other activities or resources in the customer service process to the pace and priority of the bottleneck, such as balancing the workload, synchronizing the flow, or eliminating waste.
• Elevate the system’s constraint: increase the capacity or reduce the cycle time of the bottleneck, such as adding more staff, equipment, or technology, or redesigning the process.
• Repeat the process: monitor the performance of the customer service process and identify and address the next constraint.

The other options are not the best steps to address the issue of long wait times for customer service, according to TOC.Increasing the number of staff members available before the bottleneck will not solve the problem, as it will only create more work-in-process inventory and increase the operational expense4.Implementing a more efficient customer service system may or may not help, depending on whether it addresses the root cause of the bottleneck or not5. Increasing the resources available to the customer service department may also be ineffective or inefficient, as it may not target the specific bottleneck or may create excess capacity or waste.

According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, building resilience is one of the organizational competencies for risk management and disruption response.It is defined as "the ability to recover quickly from difficulties and adapt to changing conditions"1. Building resilience can help a company with a global presence to cope with the uncertainties and complexities of operating in emerging markets, where risks and disruptions may be more frequent and severe.Some of the elements of building resilience include developing a risk-aware culture, implementing agile processes, fostering collaboration and innovation, and enhancing learning and feedback loops23.

1: ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, page 7.2:From risk management to strategic resilience | McKinsey3:Risk Management Magazine - Dealing with Disruption

Supply chain risk management

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the purpose of using value at risk (VAR) in supply chain risk management is to establish a common language to quantify supply chain risk in terms of currency.VAR is defined as "a statistical technique used to measure and quantify the level of financial risk within a firm or investment portfolio over a specific time frame"2.VAR can help to estimate the potential loss that a supply chain may face due to various sources of disruption, such as demand fluctuations, supplier failures, natural disasters, or cyberattacks13.By expressing supply chain risk in monetary terms, VAR can help to communicate the risk exposure to different stakeholders, compare the risk profiles of different supply chain scenarios, and allocate resources for risk mitigation13.VAR can also help to link supply chain risk management with corporate financial performance and strategy14.

According to the CTSC Enterprise and Supply Chain Management (ESCM) manual, a staple yourself interview is a technique for performing a review of a SCOR level 3 process from beginning to end1.It involves following the process as if you were the product or service being delivered, and asking questions such as: Who is involved in this process? What are they doing? Why are they doing it? How are they doing it? How long does it take? How much does it cost? What are the inputs and outputs of each activity? What are the risks and opportunities for improvement?1This technique helps to identify the gaps, inefficiencies, and best practices in the process, and to generate insights and recommendations for improvement1.

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According to the ASCM CTSC Exam Content Manual, change control is defined as “the process of determining, approving, or rejecting alterations to a plan baseline” (p. 18). Change control ensures that changes are properly evaluated, documented, and implemented in a controlled manner. Change control is part of the broader change management process, which also includes change identification, change evaluation, change approval, change implementation, and change verification.

According to the CTSC Exam Content Manual, one of the areas that leadership should focus on while developing a roadmap for supply chain transformation is customers, talent, and risks1.Customers are the ultimate source of value and demand for the supply chain, and understanding their needs and expectations is essential for designing a customer-centric supply chain strategy1.Talent is the human capital that drives the supply chain performance and innovation, and developing the skills and capabilities of the workforce is critical for enabling a successful supply chain transformation1.Risks are the potential threats and uncertainties that can disrupt or damage the supply chain, and identifying, assessing, and mitigating them is vital for ensuring the resilience and sustainability of the supply chain1. The other options are not the most pertinent areas for leadership to focus on while developing a roadmap for supply chain transformation, as they are more operational or tactical aspects of the supply chain, not strategic or transformational.Suppliers, inventory, and payment terms are examples of the sourcing process elements that affect the cost, quality, and availability of the supply chain inputs2.Warehouses, carrier relationships, and technology are examples of the delivery process elements that affect the efficiency, responsiveness, and reliability of the supply chain outputs2.Data centers and web portal are examples of the information technology infrastructure that supports the supply chain integration and visibility3.

According to the ASCM, the supply chain information system infrastructure consists of four main elements: hardware, software, data warehouse, and the internet1.These elements enable the collection, storage, processing, and transmission of data and information across the supply chain, and support the decision making and execution of supply chain activities1.The ASCM also states that the supply chain information system infrastructure is a key enabler of supply chain transformation, which is the process of changing the supply chain to achieve higher performance, efficiency, and sustainability1.By having a robust and reliable infrastructure, a company can leverage the power of data and analytics, improve the visibility and collaboration across the supply chain, and adopt new technologies and innovations that can enhance the supply chain capabilities and outcomes1. Therefore, hardware, software, data warehouse, and the internet are the infrastructure elements that have a significant impact on supply chain transformation.

According to the CTSC Exam Content Manual1, one of the characteristics of digital supply chain integration is that it “enables end-to-end visibility, collaboration, and optimization across the supply chain network”. This means that digital supply chain integration aims to achieve efficiency and effectiveness across all the processes involved in planning, sourcing, transforming, and fulfilling products, rather than focusing on each process in isolation. Therefore, the best approach to support a digital supply chain for an apparel company is to emphasize integrated efficiency goals across all four processes, as this would enable the company to optimize its resources, reduce costs, improve quality, and meet customer expectations. Option A, C and D are examples of approaches that do not support digital supply chain integration, as they either focus on standalone goals for each process or prioritize revenue over efficiency.