Auditing Performance Outcomes Course (Self-Paced)

This course includes

12 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution

This course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instruction, take Auditing Performance Outcomes.

Gain the skills of advanced program performance assessment and evaluation methodology for determining impact (benefit) attributable to agency program operations, investments, and changes. Learn to identify and validate cause and effect relationships in determining the outcome results of a program initiative or change. Explore various evaluation designs to isolate the results or impacts attributable to an initiative or intervening variable by comparing performance achieved with the initiative to performance without it. Learn the conditions, strengths, and weaknesses of applying each design in accounting for rival causes. Through multiple case exercises, practice planning, audits and evaluations using the design methodologies that lead to valid and supportable findings. Learn how to prepare a Cost/Benefit Analysis to determine if outcome results attributable to a program initiative are worth the cost.

This course has a prerequisite

Students should be familiar with cost-benefit analysis, evaluating program outcomes, and conducting performance audits. Prior experience in assessing program effectiveness and selecting appropriate evaluation methodologies is also recommended.

Tuition

Full Tuition

$1,049
Due before the class starts

This course includes

12 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution

Learning Experience Highlights

Training from government‑experienced instructors

Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.

Specialized for government & DoD

Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.

The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student

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Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

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Auditing Performance Outcomes Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Recognize what audit questions call for an impact audit with the objective of determining the outcome results attributable to a program or initiative.
Explain how impact audits with a focus on outcome results are similar to and different from traditional performance audits.
Describe the basic methodology for conducting impact audits.
Define and apply the finding elements for impact audits.
Cite the items of background information about the program or initiative under audit that needs to be collected in conducting an impact audit.
Write objectives that provide direction for planning and reporting on impact audits.
Identify rival causes that can adversely affect an auditor's ability to draw sound conclusions about the results attributable to a program or initiative.
Choose and apply the methodology design that is most applicable in conducting a given impact audit considering data availability and rival causes.
Explain the use of Cost and Benefit Analysis and how the results of impact audits are used in such analysis.
Prepare a Cost and Benefit Analysis of an implemented program or initiative.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: Basics in Auditing Outcomes

Understanding the objectives of impact audits
Distinguishing between traditional performance audits and impact audits
Identifying elements of impact audit findings
Selecting appropriate performance measures for impact audits

Module 2: Preparing for an Impact Audit

Mapping programs to understand operations and outcomes
Gathering essential background information for audit preparation
Assessing target problems, causes, and populations involved
Determining if conditions support conducting an impact audit

Module 3: Designs for Conducting Impact Audits

Exploring methodological designs: Post Group Comparison, Before-and-After, and Time-Series
Assessing strengths and weaknesses of each design
Controlling for rival causes and external factors in analyses
Applying designs to practical auditing scenarios

Module 4: Applying the Designs

Formulating precise audit objectives and questions
Selecting the most appropriate methodological design
Identifying and collecting reliable performance data
Documenting audit plans clearly and effectively

Module 5: Cost and Benefit Analysis

Understanding the use and significance of cost-benefit analyses
Quantifying benefits attributable to program initiatives
Calculating and evaluating cost-efficiency and cost-effectiveness
Performing practical cost-benefit analysis on implemented initiatives

Group Training

Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.

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Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$1,049.00	Total You Pay