Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes a parent item?

1. An item that cannot be broken down

2. An item made from one or more components

3. An item that only requires raw materials

4. An item purchased from a supplier

The correct answer is: An item made from one or more components

A parent item is defined as an item that is made from one or more components. This concept is crucial in supply chain management and inventory control, where understanding the relationship between different items—such as parent and child items—helps manage production, inventory levels, and order fulfillment effectively. In this context, the parent item typically refers to a finished product or assembly that includes multiple components or sub-assemblies (child items) that contribute to its creation. For instance, in a manufacturing setting, a bicycle may be considered a parent item, while its components such as wheels, frame, and gears would be the child items. Recognizing this hierarchical relationship aids organizations in organizing their inventory and managing supply chain processes. The other options do not accurately capture the broader definition of a parent item. An item that cannot be broken down refers to the concept of an end item or a raw material but does not specifically address the idea of being composed of components. An item that only requires raw materials indicates a more simple form of production and doesn’t embody the structure of having components. Lastly, an item purchased from a supplier describes a procurement aspect, which may apply to parent items or other types of items but does not directly define the relationship between items in the supply chain context