COM Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield COM facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the purpose of demand forecasting in supply chain management? → To ensure product availability and minimize waste
2. Which term refers to the maximum output a facility can produce under ideal, theoretical conditions? → Design capacity
3. Which of the following is an example of inbound logistics? → Managing supplier relationships
4. What is effective delegation in COM management? → Assigning authority and tasks while maintaining accountability
5. What is the primary function of inventory management in supply chain management? → To keep track of product orders
6. What are consequences of non-compliance in COM practice? → Fines, license revocation, legal liability, and reputation damage
7. Which quality improvement cycle, developed by W. Edwards Deming, emphasizes iterative testing and learning? → PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act)
8. What is the primary purpose of a Quality Management System (QMS) in an operations environment? → Ensure consistent product/service quality and continuous improvement
9. Why is resource allocation crucial in operations planning? → To optimize resource use and meet production targets
10. What is the primary goal of Lean methodology? → To eliminate waste and increase efficiency
11. What is a milestone in COM project management? → A significant event marking progress at a key point in the timeline
12. What is the primary goal of Statistical Process Control (SPC) in manufacturing operations? → Detect and prevent process deviations before defects occur
13. What is transformational leadership in COM practice? → Inspiring followers to exceed expectations through vision and empowerment
14. Utilization rate in capacity planning is correctly calculated as: → Actual output divided by design capacity
15. The Theory of Constraints (TOC) in capacity management is primarily concerned with: → Identifying and exploiting the system's single limiting constraint
16. Which innovation management framework categorizes innovations by their degree of novelty into incremental, breakthrough, and disruptive types? → Innovation ambition matrix
17. A 'chase strategy' in aggregate production planning means: → Adjusting workforce or capacity levels to closely match demand fluctuations
18. What is a key operational benefit of predictive maintenance enabled by technology? → Reducing unplanned downtime by servicing equipment before failures occur
19. What is the main focus of Six Sigma? → To reduce defects and variability
20. What does residual risk mean in COM practice? → Risk remaining after all controls are implemented
21. Which quality tool uses a fishbone diagram structure to identify root causes of a problem? → Ishikawa (cause-and-effect) diagram
22. What is a communication plan in COM project management? → Defining what information is shared, with whom, when, and how
23. What is the primary goal of regulatory compliance in COM practice? → Ensuring adherence to laws and standards governing professional practice
24. What is the main purpose of a supply chain risk management plan? → To identify and mitigate risks
25. Why is regular review important in COM risk management? → Conditions change and new risks emerge requiring updates
26. Which capacity strategy involves deliberately adding capacity in advance of anticipated demand growth? → Lead strategy
27. What is the role of data analysis in performance management? → It allows the measurement of performance based on data
28. Which defect rate is associated with Six Sigma quality performance? → 3.4 defects per million opportunities
29. What is the role of logistics in the supply chain? → To ensure products are delivered on time
30. What is the purpose of process management in operations? → To streamline and optimize organizational processes