Supply Chain & Operations · Accredited certification
CDDP
Certified Demand Driven Planner (CDDP)
Why demand driven planning matters
Volatile demand, long lead times and complex product ranges strain conventional planning. Planners who place strategic buffers at the right decoupling points, size them properly and replenish from the net flow position protect the flow of materials, so customers get reliable service without stock piling up where it is not needed.
When MRP runs on forecasts alone, small changes in demand are amplified upstream, plans are rewritten constantly, and shortages and excess appear side by side. CDDP gives planners, materials managers and MRP implementers a structured route through DDMRP, from positioning to execution alerts, leading to an ISCEA certificate whose exams are accredited by the IISB.
What you will be able to do
- Explain the principles of a demand driven supply chain and contrast it with forecast-driven planning
- Identify the causes of the bullwhip effect and the limits of conventional MRP under variability
- Apply positioning factors to select decoupling points, and calculate red, yellow and green buffer zones
- Apply buffer adjustments, and calculate net flow position and replenishment quantities
- Interpret execution alerts to prioritise actions and protect flow
- Analyse buffer performance and explain how DDMRP results inform S&OP
Course outline: 19 modules
Each module below shows what it covers and what you will be able to do at the end of it.
1. Supply Chain Management Essentials
Reviews core supply chain concepts, flows and processes that underpin demand planning.
- Describe supply chain flows, processes and key terminology
- Explain how planning decisions connect supply chain functions
2. Introduction to Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)
Introduces the S&OP process and its role in aligning demand, supply and financial plans.
- Describe the steps of a standard S&OP cycle
- Explain how S&OP links operational and financial planning
3. Traditional Inventory Planning Fundamentals
Reviews traditional inventory planning methods such as reorder points, EOQ and safety stock.
- Calculate reorder points, order quantities and safety stock
- Explain the limitations of traditional methods under volatility
4. Bullwhip Effect
Explains how demand variability is amplified upstream and the practices that reduce it.
- Identify the causes of the bullwhip effect
- Recommend measures to reduce demand distortion
5. Demand Driven Supply Chain Framework
Introduces the demand driven supply chain model and how it differs from forecast-push planning.
- Explain the principles of a demand driven supply chain
- Contrast demand driven and forecast-driven planning
6. Demand Sensing
Covers using near-real-time demand signals to detect changes in demand earlier.
- Identify demand signals and data sources for sensing
- Explain how demand sensing improves short-term planning
7. Supply Chain Response
Covers how supply, inventory and capacity respond to sensed demand across the chain.
- Describe mechanisms for responding to demand changes
- Evaluate responsiveness against cost and service
8. Data Analysis Relevance in the Demand Driven Supply Chain
Covers the role of data analysis in monitoring demand and supporting demand driven decisions.
- Apply basic data analysis to demand and inventory data
- Use analysis results to support planning decisions
9. DDMRP Foundations: The Need for MRP Evolution
Explains why conventional MRP struggles in volatile environments and the case for DDMRP.
- Identify symptoms of conventional MRP under variability
- Explain the rationale for evolving MRP into DDMRP
10. DDMRP Foundations: Traditional MRP and DRP
Reviews traditional MRP and DRP logic as the baseline that DDMRP builds upon.
- Explain MRP and DRP planning logic
- Identify elements retained and changed by DDMRP
11. DDMRP Foundations: Lean Six Sigma and the Theory of Constraints
Explains how Lean, Six Sigma and the Theory of Constraints contribute to DDMRP principles.
- Relate Lean, Six Sigma and TOC concepts to DDMRP
- Explain flow as the central objective of DDMRP
12. DDMRP Inventory Positioning
Covers selecting strategic decoupling points where inventory buffers should be placed.
- Apply positioning factors to select decoupling points
- Assess the effect of positioning on lead time and inventory
13. DDMRP Buffer Sizing and Buffer Profile
Covers calculating buffer zones and assigning buffer profiles to parts.
- Calculate red, yellow and green buffer zones
- Assign buffer profiles based on lead time and variability
14. DDMRP Buffer Adjustments
Covers adjusting buffers for planned changes such as seasonality, promotions and product transitions.
- Apply planned and recalculated buffer adjustments
- Decide when buffer adjustments are appropriate
15. DDMRP Buffer Replenishment
Covers generating supply orders using the net flow equation and buffer status.
- Calculate net flow position and replenishment quantities
- Prioritise supply orders by buffer status
16. DDMRP Buffer Replenishment: Distribution Network Considerations
Covers applying DDMRP replenishment across multi-echelon distribution networks.
- Apply buffer replenishment logic to distribution nodes
- Identify network factors that affect replenishment decisions
17. DDMRP Execution Alerts
Covers buffer status and synchronisation alerts used to manage open orders in execution.
- Interpret execution alerts to prioritise actions
- Respond to alerts to protect flow
18. DDMRP Buffer Performance and S&OP Implications
Covers measuring buffer performance and feeding results into S&OP and planning decisions.
- Analyse buffer performance and identify improvement actions
- Explain how DDMRP results inform S&OP
19. Demand Driven Supply Chain Technology
Covers software and technology requirements for running a demand driven supply chain.
- Identify functional requirements for DDMRP-capable software
- Evaluate how technology supports demand driven planning
Programme details
| Eligibility | No prerequisites are required to enrol or sit the CDDP exam. |
|---|---|
| ISCEA body of knowledge | 18 modules: supply chain fundamentals, the demand driven supply chain, and 10 DDMRP modules on positioning, buffers, replenishment, execution and performance. |
| Language | ISCEA lists the CDDP programme in English. |
| Study materials | ISCEA provides a study guide with all slides and exercises, plus a two-hour programme review. |
| Retakes | The first retake is free within 30 days; later retakes are in 30-day windows, and a fourth retake needs a 180-day wait. |
| Results | Results show on screen as soon as the exam ends; official notice is emailed within 48 hours. |
| i-Proctor rules | Remote exams need a webcam, stable internet and a government photo ID sent beforehand; a calculator is allowed, books and phones are not. |
| Certificate | An electronic certificate is issued after passing; ISCEA exams are accredited by the IISB (ISCEA International Standard Board). |
| Renewal | Valid three years; renew by earning 45 PDUs (1 hour of learning = 1 PDU). Apply about 120 days before expiry. |
| If not renewed | Non-renewal suspends the credential; the only way to restore it is to retake the exam. |
| Related credential | ISCEA also awards the CDDL (Certified Demand Driven Leader) in the demand driven field. |
Your path to CDDP certification
- Enquire and choose your format. Classroom in Cairo, live online, or an in-house cohort for your team.
- Learn the 19 modules with practitioners. 18 hours over 3 weeks, every live session recorded on our learning platform.
- Practise with module tests and question banks. Exam-style questions with instant results, plus the ISCEA study guide with all slides and exercises and a two-hour programme review.
- Sit the ISCEA exam. 100 multiple-choice questions in 120 minutes, online, with a 70% pass mark. You sit it on the last workshop day or within 30 days via ISCEA i-Proctor. The first retake is free within 30 days.
- Receive your CDDP certificate. ISCEA issues an electronic certificate after you pass. It is valid for three years and renewed by earning 45 PDUs.
- Widen your planning skills. ISCEA also awards the CDDL (Certified Demand Driven Leader) in the demand driven field, and CFDP and CSCM build on the same planning base.
What you walk away with
- A DDMRP method you can apply to your own parts and buffers the next working day
- The ISCEA CDDP certificate, valid for three years and renewed with 45 PDUs
- Recordings of every live session, official study material, question banks and module tests on our learning platform
- Support until exam day, then a clear next step to CFDP or CSCM
Want the full picture?
The CDDP brochure has the complete module outline, exam facts and delivery options in one PDF.
Download the CDDP brochure (PDF) Enquire about the next cohort
How you will learn
- Classroom: Interactive sessions at our training and exam centre in Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
- Live online: Instructor-led virtual classes for participants anywhere in the region.
- In-house: A private cohort for your team, at your premises and tailored to your context.
- Every live session recorded: Watch any session again, or catch up on one you missed, on our learning platform.
- Official study material: Books, handbooks and course files for the programme, in one place.
- Question banks and module tests: Exam-style practice with instant results.
- Support until exam day: Keep studying on the platform after the live sessions end, right up to the exam.
Exam and certification
ISCEA
| Exams | 1 exam |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Exam time | 120 minutes |
| Pass mark | 70% |
| Where you sit it | Online |
| Good to know | Sit it on the last workshop day or within 30 days via ISCEA i-Proctor. One free retake is included |
Who should attend
- Strategic decision-makers and planners
- Manufacturing, warehousing and logistics professionals
- Materials managers and MRP implementers
- Demand planners and inventory controllers
Frequently asked questions
What is the CDDP course?
The official preparatory course for the ISCEA CDDP certification, accredited by the ISCEA International Standard Board. It covers demand-driven supply chain principles and the implementation and maintenance of DDMRP.
Who should take CDDP?
It suits: Strategic decision-makers and planners; Manufacturing, warehousing and logistics professionals; Materials managers and MRP implementers; Demand planners and inventory controllers.
How long is the CDDP course at Transights?
18 hours, 3 weeks. It runs live online, in class in Cairo, or in-house for company teams in Egypt and the GCC.
What is the CDDP exam like?
1 exam. 100 multiple-choice questions. Exam time: 120 minutes. Pass mark: 70%. Where you sit it: Online. Sit it on the last workshop day or within 30 days via ISCEA i-Proctor. One free retake is included.
Who awards the CDDP certification?
ISCEA awards the certification. Transights is an approved partner of ISCEA.