International Project Management Association (IPMA) Practice Exam

Screening systems used to evaluate potential sellers typically include all of the following except:

1. Quantitative criteria

2. Qualitative criteria

3. Weights for each criterion

4. Range estimates

The correct answer is: Range estimates

Screening systems used to evaluate potential sellers are designed to assess multiple factors that can help organizations make informed purchasing decisions. This evaluation process generally involves quantitative and qualitative criteria, as well as weights to indicate the relative importance of each criterion. Quantitative criteria typically involve measurable data, such as price, lead times, and production capacity. These elements allow for straightforward comparison among different sellers based on numerical values. Qualitative criteria take into account more subjective aspects, such as the seller's reputation, service quality, and reliability. These non-numerical factors are equally important to ensure a holistic evaluation of potential sellers and align with the strategic goals of the purchasing organization. Furthermore, using weights for each criterion is essential. This practice ensures that some factors are prioritized over others based on their significance to the project or purchasing decision. By assigning weights, organizations can better distinguish between sellers who may have similar quantitative scores but differ significantly when considering qualitative aspects. Range estimates, on the other hand, do not typically belong to the core elements of a screening system for seller evaluation. While they may provide useful information in specific contexts, such as pricing strategy or project cost estimation, they do not serve as fundamental criteria for evaluating potential sellers in the same way as quantitative and qualitative criteria,