# Intermediate Decision Support Analytics Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/intermediate-decision-support-analytics-course-self-paced>

## Overview

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.

## What you'll learn

- 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.

## Curriculum

#### 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.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1199