# FPM 333: Progressive Business, Cost, and Financial Management Course

Canonical URL: <https://training.sdfm.org/courses/fpm-333-progressive-business-cost-and-financial-management-course>

## Overview

This course provides senior-level program and project managers with the financial and business management skills needed to ensure effective and accountable program execution within the federal environment. Participants learn to plan, analyze, and oversee program finances, including cost estimating, budgeting, and forecasting across the program life cycle, while understanding how federal funding and regulations impact program decisions and performance.

The course also develops participants’ ability to create and evaluate business case analyses, apply earned value and performance measurement techniques, and integrate financial planning within the broader agency budgeting process. Through practical exercises and discussions, managers refine their ability to interpret financial data, balance cost and risk, and strengthen program outcomes in alignment with FAC-P/PM Senior-Level standards.

## What you'll learn

- Identify cost and budget challenges in federal programs and meet compliance needs.
- Build credible cost and life-cycle estimates for programs.
- Conduct and critique a business case analysis to compare options by cost, benefit, and risk.
- Use performance measurement tools to track cost, schedule, and technical progress.
- Create a program financial plan aligned with the agency budgeting cycle and strategic goals.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Evaluating the Federal Acquisition Environment

- Understand the federal budgeting and funding framework that impacts program management.
- Recognize business and cost challenges unique to the government context (appropriations, fiscal law, and compliance requirements).
- Assess how the Total Life-Cycle Systems Management approach influences cost planning and decision-making.

#### Module 2: Estimating Program Costs

- Develop life-cycle cost estimates for projects and programs using accepted methodologies.
- Utilize a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to organize cost elements and improve estimating accuracy.
- Incorporate risk, uncertainty, and total ownership costs into cost estimates to enhance credibility and realism.

#### Module 3: The Business Case Analysis (BCA) Process

- Build a robust business case to justify program investments and alternatives.
- Conduct benefit-cost analysis and other financial analyses to compare project alternatives and inform decisions.
- Evaluate return on investment (ROI) and trade-offs to support strategic decision-making and recommendation of the best option.

#### Module 4: Program Performance Measurement

- Establish performance baselines and metrics for cost, schedule, and technical performance.
- Implement Earned Value Management (EVM) to integrate cost and schedule data for tracking program performance.
- Interpret EVM reports and other performance indicators to identify trends, variances, and needed corrective actions.

#### Module 5: Federal Planning, Programming, and Budgeting

- Navigate the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process or equivalent in federal agencies.
- Formulate and defend program budgets within the federal budget cycle and constraints.
- Manage funds execution and understand the rules of budget execution, appropriations categories, and reprogramming as they affect program financial management.

#### Module 6: Putting It All Together

- Engage in a capstone exercise that integrates cost estimating, budgeting, and performance management for a program scenario.
- Apply business, cost, and financial management techniques to develop a comprehensive program financial plan.
- Demonstrate the ability to oversee program finances, adjust to changes, and brief stakeholders on program financial health and recommendations.

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**FPM 333 – Advanced Business, Cost, and Financial Management (4 Days)**

## Schedule
- Nov 16, 2026 – Nov 18, 2026 — Live Online

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $2049