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21st Century contracting professions need a better understanding of how contractors operate to craft better contracting solutions. The Business Acumen Credentials Program helps them master a wide range of business acumen competencies, including organizational, cost, and financial planning, critical and strategic thinking, negotiation strategies, and analytics to solve problems. This program supports the competency standards set by NCMA’s ANSI-accredited, Contract Management StandardTM Publication (CMS) and the corresponding Contract Management Book of Knowledge (CMBOK) standards. This program covers:

  • How to enhance critical thinking skills
  • Ways to improve analytical and data analysis skills
  • How to hone business acumen
  • How to evolve from tactical to strategic thinking  

After the successful completion of each individual course, you will be sent an electronic Training Certificate. Upon completion of all program requirements, you will receive a specialized digital badge identifying the Business Acumen Credentials Program and the associated competencies attained.   

Program Requirements

Course Title Course Number Learning Objectives/NCMA CMS Competencies   Available Delivery Method/s

ACQ 315: Understanding Industry (Business Acumen)

1315

Learning Objectives:

  • Explain how the scope and diversity of the current industry landscape influences companies’ methods of competing for defense contracts
  • Describe how a company's organization supports and adapts to its business strategy
  • Explain cost accounting basics companies use to manage direct, indirect costs, and rates for proposals and program execution
  • Describe the importance of company cost estimating requirements, methods, and key process elements
  • Using standard company financial reports and metrics, assess the company’s financial health to enable best-value program decisions
  • Identify and assess company management challenges in optimizing prime/sub-contractor relationships and decisions in its supply chain
  • Assess opportunities and constraints companies weigh prioritizing market opportunities, B&P resources, teaming, and strategy
  • Evaluating a company’s capture planning bid / no-bid decision process and an RFP response from the proposal development process
  • Given a scenario, assess company incentives, motivations, and rewards that lead to increasing shareholder value
  • Apply the strategies companies use to incentivize their workforce at various levels
  • List the deliverables and explain the purpose of the Capstone Exercise
  • Develop a company negotiating strategy using business acumen tools that promotes a fair profit and better taxpayer deal
  • Given a company financial situation and market segment, students will evaluate the company’s annual decisions to “meet the numbers”

NCMA CMS Competencies:

1.1 Skills and Roles
1.5 Situational Assessment

  • Instructor-Led Virtual
  • Instructor-Led In-Classroom

Critical Thinking for Problem Solving

4060

Learning Objectives:

  • Analyze qualities and patterns of effective critical thinkers
  • Use sound methods of framing problems and thinking critically to implement solutions
  • Overcome obstacles to critical thinking and problem solving
  • Use various tools to promote critical thinking for problem-solving
  • Use creative thinking tools and methods to solve problems
  • Apply critical thinking strategies to solve work-related problems

NCMA CMS Competencies:

1.5 Situational Assessment

  • Instructor-Led Virtual
  • Instructor-Led In-Classroom

From Tactical to Strategic Thinking

4062

  • Analyze the uses of tactical and strategic thinking
  • Develop a strategic mindset to achieve long-term personal and professional goals
  • Use a strategic framework to organize thinking and make decisions
  • Capitalize on opportunities to promote continuous organizational and personal growth

NCMA CMS Competencies:

1.5 Situational Assessment

  • Instructor-Led Virtual
  • Instructor-Led In-Classroom

Introduction to Analytics

4601

Learning Objectives:

  • Use Excel and the Analytics Process Model to interpret and analyze a set of data
  • Develop analytical objectives and stakeholder analysis for an analytical project
  • Apply basic quantitative analysis techniques to a given set of data
  • Create a chart that visually represents data prepared in a pivot table
  • Analyze primary data collected from surveys and interviews
  • Develop and deliver a short briefing to present analysis results

NCMA CMS Competencies:

1.1 Skills and Roles
1.5 Situational Assessment

  • Instructor-Led Virtual
  • Instructor-Led In-Classroom

Additional Credential Information

  • Expiration: 3 years from the date earned
  • Restrictions: None

Acquisition & Contracting Programs Letter of Intent

Courses completed prior to submitting this Letter of Intent may apply toward completion of the certificate program you wish to pursue. Please note that you have up to three years from the first certificate program course taken to complete the program.

Note: This Letter of Intent is for Management Concepts records only, not a legal contract, and does not obligate the student to take courses.