CIPS Study Centre Approval: Application Process
BUSINESS PLAN (Guidance Notes)
INTRODUCTION
It is our aim to build strong, mutually beneficial relationships with the centres that offer CIPS programmes
and qualifications and also to ensure that the delivery of those programmes is in line with our ethos and
quality assurance requirements.
ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS CASE
In order to gain approval to deliver CIPS qualifications at your Study Centre, you will need to provide us, as
part of your application, with the business case for the programme(s) you wish to offer, to assure us of the
viability of the proposed programme(s).
To do this, you will need to undertake some research to demonstrate that there is both a need and an unmet
demand for the programme(s).
You will also need to demonstrate that your organisation is on a sound financial footing, such that both CIPS
and your potential learners can be confident that the programme(s) you intend to offer are sustainable into
the future.
Finally, you will need to indicate an ongoing commitment to continuing your relationship with CIPS.
The Business Plan you present to CIPS should therefore contain the following:
1. Identifying need and demand
a) Market testing and promotion.
Clear indications should be given that research into the local need for the course has been carried
out, together with an estimate of potential learner numbers at the start. You should provide
evidence of qualitative and/or quantitative research, including the
response rate achieved.
Details of course promotion initiatives and available budgets are also required. These should
include a commitment to maintain up-to-date course information leaflets, to post full details of the
courses on your website and to foster relations with relevant employers.
You should show the level of funding/budget allocation to marketing over the current and next two
CIPS Study Centre Approval (2011) Business Plan Guidance Notes – v4 Jan 2013
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Leading global excellence in procurement and supply
years.
b) Customers
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Details of the specific target group,
profile of your likely customers
projected numbers on the programme in the first and subsequent years
c) Competition
 details of where and how this and any related programmes are offered already
 consideration of whether the proposed programme will provide any threat to the programmes
already being provided by other centres including:
o their proximity to your proposed delivery site
o the evidence of any demand for the programmes that is not being met
o the type of programmes that your competitors offer and any features of the
programmes such as mode of delivery
o the tuition fee you intend to charge, compared with that charged by your competing
centres
2. Financial stability.
We need details of
 your organisation’s overall financial status: last 2 years management accounts or other reputable
confirmation of the availability of funding claimed
 details of the funding received or whether the course(s) will be full cost
 projected course costs per programme
 break-even costs per programme
 how costs are calculated (eg whether books and/or examination fees are included in the costs)

level at which budgets are held in the organisation
 process for funding the purchase of training resources, such as books, study guides and
equipment for the production of handouts and slides.

resources available to recruit part-time specialist staff.
 contingency measures for dealing with class sizes less than break-even; (such measures could
include the adoption of flexible learning and should reflect the support allotted, in terms of
workshops and self-study material.)
3. Commitment to CIPS
Evidence should be included of a commitment to helping CIPS promote the purchasing and supply
professions. This may include members of the Institute among the teaching staff, potential links
with CIPS branches, and encouragement of learner participation in branch activities.
You should also indicate a commitment to releasing relevant staff to attend annual CIPS tutor
workshops. These are essential opportunities to meet examiners, keep up to date with syllabus
changes and network with other tutors. In the UK workshops are normally held in June, and the
three venues are published in January each year allowing choice of venue.
CIPS Study Centre Approval (2011) Business Plan Guidance Notes – v4 Jan 2013
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Leading global excellence in procurement and supply
4. Swot analysis
We ask you to give us a brief (bullet-point list) of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats relating to your proposal. This can be provided as part of the Business Plan, or on a separate
sheet.
5. Signature
The Business Plan should be signed off by a senior person at the Study Centre with the authority to
do so.
CIPS Study Centre Approval (2011) Business Plan Guidance Notes – v4 Jan 2013
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Leading global excellence in procurement and supply