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Exam Information
Official specifications published by ACSM
Exam Format
210 min
150 (130 operational + 20 pretest)
300
Professional
Registration
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
Validity
5 years
Earn and submit 75 professional development maintenance points within 5 years; 100 points required for APICS Fellows; Points earned through education and service activities related to operations management, supply chain, or logistics
CTSC Exam Topics and Domains
CTSC is organized into 4 weighted domains. Expect to work with CMMI, DCM, APQC, ASCM Enterprise Standards for Sustainability, and more.
1
Supply Chain Transformation Overview
33%
Supply Chain Transformation Introduction
Define and Classify the Types of Supply ChainsLearn the Supply Chain Maturity StagesExplore Business Cases for Transformation
- Define and classify the types of supply chains
- Understand the supply chain maturity stages
- Explore business cases for transformation
Supply Chain Transformation Strategy Overview
Understand Organizational Supply Chain StrategiesComprehend Organizational Value PropositionResearch Models, Frameworks, and Benchmarking ToolsExplore Cost and Service Optimization RoadmapsUnderstand Organizational DesignUnderstand Risk Management MethodologyUnderstand Supply Chain Security Landscape
- Understand organizational supply chain strategies including market types, strategy types, and strategic components
- Comprehend organizational value proposition across suppliers, service providers, customers, and supply chain network
- Research and apply models, frameworks, and benchmarking tools including SCOR DS, GRI, ISO, DCM, CMMI, and APQC
- Explore cost and service optimization roadmaps including Lean, Six Sigma, TOC, TQM, and Agile
- Understand organizational design including structure, talent assessment, collaboration, and performance management
- Understand risk management methodology including identification, analysis, evaluation, and treatment
- Understand the supply chain security landscape including information, cyber, physical security, and counterfeits
The Drivers of Supply Chain Transformation
Recognize the Internal and External Organizational ContextDiscuss Benchmarking and Relative PerformancesOutline Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Requirements
- Recognize internal and external organizational context using appropriate tools and models
- Discuss benchmarking and relative performances across customer satisfaction, efficiency, costs, and growth
- Outline ESG and CSR requirements and their impact on supply chain transformation
Supply Chain Transformation Leadership and Culture
Identify Supply Chain Transformation Leadership SkillsUnderstand Organizational Culture to Enable Transformation Efforts
- Identify the leadership skills required for supply chain transformation
- Understand how organizational culture enables or hinders transformation efforts
2
Preparing for Supply Chain Transformation
41%
Select Supply Chain Transformation Drivers
MacroeconomicsLegal and Regulatory LandscapeGeopoliticalIndustry and Market CharacteristicsVoice of the Customer (VOC) and Voice of the Process (VOP)Strategic ImperativesSustainabilityDigitizationProcess and Performance Metrics Benchmark
- Identify and evaluate transformation drivers across macroeconomic, legal, geopolitical, market, customer, strategic, sustainability, and digital dimensions
- Understand Voice of the Customer and Voice of the Process in transformation context
- Apply process and performance benchmarking to support transformation driver selection
Assess Supply Chain Current State
Perform Gap AssessmentsConduct Maturity AssessmentsIdentify Common Misalignments
- Perform gap assessments to understand the difference between current and desired states
- Conduct maturity assessments using recognized frameworks
- Identify common misalignments that hinder supply chain performance
Conceptualize the Future State Supply Chain Operation Model
Perform Process and Geographic MappingDevelop Modeling and SimulationsAnalyze AlternativesRefine the Target Value and Benefits
- Perform process and geographic mapping for supply chain transformation
- Develop modeling and simulations to evaluate transformation options
- Analyze alternatives and refine target values and benefits
Identify Initiatives to Address Gaps
Identify Transformation InitiativesScope Using Data and Strategic AssessmentPrioritize InitiativesDefine To-Be State Metrics to Analyze As-Is Performance in Detail
- Identify, scope, and prioritize transformation initiatives to address gaps
- Define to-be state metrics to analyze as-is performance in detail
Initiate Transformation Workstreams and Projects
Create Project ChartersSet Transformation Program Kickoff and MilestonesDevelop Resource Management Plan(s)Document Communication Plan(s)Document Change Management Plan(s)Create Stakeholder Management Plan(s)
- Create project charters and set transformation program kickoff and milestones
- Develop resource management, communication, change management, and stakeholder management plans
Develop and Iterate Transformation Preliminary Business Case(s)
Set Targeted Value DriversQuantify Financial Value of Supply Chain ImprovementsDetermine Resources NeededEstimate Cost and ScheduleSelect KPIsCraft Messaging Content
- Set targeted value drivers and quantify financial value of supply chain improvements
- Determine resources needed, estimate cost and schedule
- Select KPIs and craft messaging content for business cases
Select Supply Chain Transformation Framework(s)
Framework Selection
Select appropriate supply chain transformation frameworks based on organizational needs
Develop Supply Chain Transformation Roadmap(s)
Assemble Project PortfolioValidate Costs, Schedules, Resources, and KPIs
Assemble project portfolios and validate costs, schedules, resources, and KPIs in transformation roadmaps
Develop Supply Chain Transformation Detailed Business Case(s)
Specify Supply Chain Value DriversAssess Financial Value of Supply Chain ImprovementsConduct Analysis of Alternatives
- Specify supply chain value drivers and assess financial value of improvements in detailed business cases
- Conduct analysis of alternatives to support transformation decisions
Draft Execution Plan(s)
Execution Planning
Draft execution plans that guide implementation of supply chain transformation
Establish and Align Portfolio Governance
Define PortfolioPrioritize the ProjectsDetermine Target Value and BenefitsEstablish Oversight Mechanisms and Frequencies
- Define portfolio, prioritize projects, and determine target value and benefits
- Establish oversight mechanisms and frequencies for portfolio governance
3
Executing Supply Chain Transformation
15%
Adopt a Change Management Plan
Tailor Change Management ProcessAssign Roles and ResponsibilitiesConfirm Process and Channels of CommunicationProvide TrainingIdentify and Implement Incentives
- Tailor change management process and assign roles and responsibilities including CCB, sponsors, and change agents
- Confirm process and channels of communication for internal and external stakeholders
- Provide training with needs assessment and pre/post evaluation
- Identify and implement intrinsic and extrinsic incentives
Design and Implement Supply Chain Transformation Workstreams and Projects
Collaborate with Internal and External StakeholdersDesign and Test SolutionsImplement Project KPIsImplement Individual ProjectsScale-Up to Enterprise-Wide Solutions
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders during transformation execution
- Design and test solutions through architecture, prototyping, simulation, and piloting
- Implement project KPIs and individual projects
- Scale-up to enterprise-wide solutions
Implement Governance and Risk Management Framework
Set Portfolio and Project Management GovernanceImplement Portfolio and Project Risk ManagementInstitute Supply Chain Information SecurityEstablish Resilient Supply Chain BenchmarksObtain ASCM Enterprise Certification for Sustainability
- Set portfolio and project management governance during transformation execution
- Implement portfolio and project risk management
- Institute supply chain information security
- Establish resilient supply chain benchmarks
- Understand ASCM Enterprise Certification for Sustainability
4
Review of Supply Chain Transformation
11%
Assess the Transformation
Review and Provide Feedback on Project Portfolio PerformanceAssess Supply Chain Transformation Maturity
- Review and provide feedback on project portfolio performance using critical success factors and KPIs
- Assess supply chain transformation maturity through ratings and audit results
Communicate Results with Internal and External Stakeholders
Results Communication
Communicate transformation results effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Reflect on the Transformation
Gather FeedbackDocument Lessons LearnedImplement Continual ImprovementIdentify Future Initiatives
- Gather feedback and document lessons learned from the transformation
- Implement continual improvement to sustain transformation outcomes
- Identify future initiatives for ongoing supply chain evolution
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CTSC earns the Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC) certification. It sits in the Supply Chain Transformation track.
Alternative Paths
- PMPProject management expertise that complements transformation execution skills
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt Process improvement methodologies covered in CTSC optimization roadmaps
- CSCMP Supply Chain Management Professional Certification Alternative supply chain certification from a different professional body
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for CTSC is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2026-02-28
Updates
- ASCM SCOR Digital Standard (SCOR DS) Current Core framework referenced throughout all four CTSC modules for supply chain assessment, benchmarking, and transformation planning
- ASCM Digital Capabilities Model (DCM) Current Key tool for assessing digital maturity of supply chain networks and planning digital transformation initiatives
- ASCM Enterprise Standards for Sustainability Current Covered in Module 1 (ESG/CSR requirements) and Module 3 (Enterprise Certification for Sustainability)
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Supply chain professionals supporting or executing supply chain transformations and Professionals creating business requirements documents for large-scale systems implementation.
- Experience in supply chain management or operations
- Experience supporting, initiating, or executing supply chain transformations
- Familiarity with supply chain frameworks like SCOR DS
- Approximately 100 hours of study time recommended