SPP Competitive Intelligence & Benchmarking 2

Question 1

Which benchmarking type compares internal processes against external best practices from any industry, not just direct competitors?

Accepted Answer

Functional benchmarking

Answer

Functional benchmarking identifies best-in-class practices from any industry and adapts them to improve internal processes.

Question 2

A competitive intelligence analyst discovers a competitor's patent filing revealing a new product direction. This is an example of information gathered from:

Accepted Answer

Open-source intelligence (OSINT)

Answer

Patent filings are publicly available records, making them a classic open-source intelligence (OSINT) source.

Question 3

In the CI cycle, the 'tasking' phase primarily involves:

Accepted Answer

Defining intelligence requirements and prioritizing topics

Answer

The tasking phase establishes what intelligence is needed, by whom, and with what priority before collection begins.

Question 4

When using Porter's Five Forces as a benchmarking framework, which force specifically examines the competitive pressure from substitute products?

Accepted Answer

Threat of substitutes

Answer

The threat of substitutes force evaluates whether customers can meet their needs with different product types from outside the industry.

Question 5

A company tracks competitors' job postings to infer their strategic priorities. This CI technique is called:

Accepted Answer

Employment intelligence

Answer

Employment intelligence analyzes hiring patterns and job descriptions to deduce a competitor's capability investments and strategic direction.

(SPP) Strategic Planning Professional Practice Test

(SPP) Strategic Planning Professional Practice Test

SPP Competitive Intelligence & Benchmarking 2