Intermediate Decision Support Analytics Course (Self-Paced)

This course includes

18 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
Accredited program
Credits: 18 CPEs

This course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instruction, take Intermediate Decision Support Analytics.

Enhance your skills for improving financial and performance decision-making. Learn more detailed methods of collecting and analyzing information in decision support work. Ensure that information used as evidence is strong, defensible, and of high quality.

Gain insight into how to think about your work and use a conceptual overview to guide you in making decisions about conducting that work. Receive specific suggestions and examples of how to utilize analytical techniques more effectively.

This course contains practical case exercises that can be completed using Microsoft Excel. If available, please bring a laptop containing Excel software to class with you. If you do not have access to a laptop or you do not have a basic knowledge of Excel, the exercises can be completed using a hand calculator.

This course has a prerequisite

Students should be familiar with basic Excel functions for case exercises, as well as have experience with analytical methods such as cost-benefit and variance analysis, program performance evaluation, and strategic decision-making in a federal or public sector context.

Tuition

Full Tuition

$1,199
Due before the class starts

This course includes

18 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
Accredited program
Credits: 18 CPEs

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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Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
Participate in GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!

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Intermediate Decision Support Analytics Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Explain the various purposes of analyses in decision support work.
Describe specific analytic methodologies in the context of the five-step analytical process.
Select appropriate types of methodology, given specific problems and issues drawn from current situations in the federal program, budget, and financial management world.
Apply various types of analytical methods to specific decision support issues.
Identify key pitfalls and limitations for the selected methods, and understand how to avoid them or minimize their effects.
Recommend alternatives and interventions, based on analysis, to better utilize resources and improve mission effectiveness.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: Overview of Approach, Methods, and Principles

Learn the five-step structured approach for conducting analysis.
Understand the linkage between analytical methods and management decisions.
Explore key principles of data appropriateness and sufficiency.
Review performance measurement frameworks and how they support decision-making.

Module 2: Planning: Conducting Cost-Benefit and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Distinguish between cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness methods and their uses.
Apply analysis to federal laws, strategic planning, budgeting, and capital investments.
Learn step-by-step procedures for identifying, evaluating, and comparing alternatives.
Conduct sensitivity and risk analysis to support planning decisions.

Module 3: Program and Budget Execution: Conducting Variance and Trend Analysis

Identify and monitor deviations from planned performance using variance analysis.
Use trend analysis to detect patterns and shifts over time.
Create run charts and control charts for operational monitoring.
Diagnose causes of problems using root cause analysis tools like radar charts and flow diagrams.

Module 4: Assessing Results: Conducting Program Results and Content Analysis

Evaluate program performance using qualitative and quantitative measures.
Understand outcome, output, and efficiency metrics in the context of strategic goals.
Use content analysis to organize, categorize, and interpret complex textual information.
Apply Pareto analysis to identify key drivers of issues and prioritize solutions.

Module 5: Final Knowledge Check and Wrap-Up

Review key concepts from all modules.
Assess understanding of analytical methods through knowledge checks.
Reflect on future challenges and opportunities for using decision support analytics.

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
$1,199.00	Total You Pay