# FPM 233: Applications in Business, Cost & Financial Management Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/fpm-233-applications-in-business-cost-financial-management-course-self-paced>

## Overview

This course equips mid-level program and project managers with essential financial management skills for effective decision-making in the federal environment. Participants learn to build strong business cases, apply cost estimating methods, and align project budgets with agency priorities. The course also provides an overview of the federal budgeting process and its impact on funding and program execution.

Emphasis is placed on using earned value management to monitor cost, schedule, and performance throughout the project life cycle. Through practical exercises and case discussions, participants strengthen their ability to analyze financial data, manage resources effectively, and communicate results—aligning their work with FAC-P/PM Mid-Level certification standards.

## What you'll learn

- Build investment cases that link mission value, assumptions, risks, and measurable outcomes.
- Apply cost-estimating methods and defend estimates with clear rationale.
- Quantify uncertainty and risk to recommend ranges and contingencies.
- Develop budgets aligned with the federal budget cycle and funding profiles.
- Use performance metrics to identify trends and forecast cost and schedule outcomes.
- Connect financial data to corrective actions while maintaining mission objectives.
- Communicate financial insights through actionable dashboards.
- Create an action plan to strengthen estimating and performance management on current projects.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Business Cases

- Frame mission need, alternatives, and benefits with clear assumptions.
- Perform benefit-cost analysis and define decision criteria.
- Present a defensible value proposition.

#### Module 2: Cost Estimating

- Select estimating methods (analogy, parametric, or build-up) and justify the Basis of Estimate (BOE).
- Quantify uncertainty and risk; produce ranges and confidence levels.
- Integrate estimates into time-phased budgets.

#### Module 3: Federal Budgeting

- Navigate formulation, enactment, and execution timelines.
- Align obligation plans with appropriations and fiscal controls.
- Communicate funding impacts to stakeholders.

#### Module 4: Using Earned Value Management (EVM)

- Interpret Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Cost Performance Index (CPI), and trend indicators to forecast outcomes.
- Diagnose variance drivers and propose corrective actions.
- Link EVM insights to replanning or rebaselining activities.

#### Module 5: Putting It All Together

- Capstone scenario integrating business case, estimating, budgeting, and EVM.
- Build an on-the-job (OTJ) action plan to mature financial discipline.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $2049