CPIM Practice Exam

What are order qualifiers?

1. Criteria for product quality

2. Competitive characteristics that are essential to compete

3. Unique selling propositions

4. Marketing strategies

The correct answer is: Competitive characteristics that are essential to compete

Order qualifiers are the competitive characteristics that are essential to compete in a marketplace. These are the minimum criteria that a product must meet in order to be considered by the customer. For instance, if a buyer is looking for a specific type of product, such as a computer, the basic requirements such as performance, reliability, and price must all be acceptable to enter the competition. These qualifiers do not distinguish a product in the market but are necessary for it to have a chance of being selected by consumers. The other concepts, while important, serve different functions. Criteria for product quality pertain to the attributes that define how well a product performs relative to customer expectations but do not encompass the broader competitive landscape. Unique selling propositions are about the features or benefits that make a product stand out and are not merely the baseline for entry into the market. Lastly, marketing strategies refer to the tactics used to promote products, but they are not inherently tied to the fundamental characteristics required to qualify for consideration in the first place.