This 2.5 or 2-day course builds skills and best practices for creating spreadsheet models, extracting powerful insights, and presenting analysis results to those who make complex strategic decisions. It is the follow-on software extension to the Decision Quality course, and it builds upon and reinforces several of the decision analysis topics taught in that course.
Workshop topics range from conceptual, such as how to recognize a good decision model or how best to communicate results, to practical, such as laying out a decision model in Excel or representing uncertainties using Monte Carlo simulation.
Our Offerings
At SDG, we offer training solutions for both individuals and organizations.
On-site Programs & Coaching
SDG’s live-virtual and on-site programs can be customized to your organization’s needs, facilities, and schedule. Our varied curriculum includes executive briefings, training modules, online learning, and pilot decision projects.
The University of Texas at Austin
Texas Executive Education, offers world-class education and leadership development to companies and individuals through custom programs and open enrollment classes.
Course Topics
In this highly interactive workshop, many of the lessons include hands-on experience for the participants to cement their grasp of new skills. Using a case exercise throughout the workshop, participants build a complete decision model, debug it, conduct sensitivity analysis to learn major sources of value and risk, use Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate alternative strategies, and generate graphics to communicate results.
Each participant is expected to have a laptop computer with Excel installed and to be familiar with but not necessarily expert in using Excel. All software tools used in the workshop are given to participants, including SDG’s powerful MySim software for Monte Carlo simulation, tornado diagrams, waterfall diagrams, and flying bar charts.
Course Overview (2-days)
Day 1.
Model Planning, Best Practices in Excel & Building the Model
- Introduction
- Planning the Model
- Case Exercise—Planning
- Best Practices for Decision Modeling in Excel
- Case Exercise—Building the Model
Day 2.
Sensitivity Analysis, Probabilistic Analysis & Communicating Insights
- Debugging
- Analysis: Waterfall diagram
- Analysis: Tornado diagram
- Analysis: Monte Carlo simulation
- Analysis: Flying bar charts
- Communicating Insights
