Certificate in Systems Approach for Making Hard Decisions with Decision Tools

This applied certificate equips professionals with structured decision-making frameworks grounded in systems engineering and operations research. Participants learn to address complex tradeoffs involving cost, risk, equity, sustainability, and political constraints using transparent and defensible methodologies. The program introduces multi-criteria decision analysis, uncertainty assessment, sensitivity testing, and scenario evaluation applied to infrastructure and policy decisions. Case-based learning demonstrates how structured frameworks improve legitimacy and long-term effectiveness in public-sector contexts. Graduates are able to design structured decision models that balance cost, risk, equity, and sustainability considerations. The certificate is particularly suited for public managers, planners, engineers, and development practitioners responsible for capital investment or policy tradeoff decisions. Core Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion, participants will be able to: • Structure complex decision problems using objective hierarchies and constraints. • Apply multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) under competing objectives. • Conduct tradeoff and sensitivity analyses across risk scenarios. • Incorporate stakeholder perspectives into structured decision models. • Produce defensible, transparent decision briefs for executive review. Schedule (7 Weeks | ~55 Hours) Week 1: Structuring Complex Decision Problems Week 2: Objectives Hierarchies & Metrics Definition Week 3: Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) Week 4: Tradeoff & Sensitivity Analysis Week 5: Scenario-Based Decision Modeling Week 6: Stakeholder & Institutional Integration Week 7: Applied Decision Case & Capstone Brief. Lead Faculty: Systems engineering or operations research scholar with decision-analysis expertise. Practice Fellow: Senior public-sector executive experienced in infrastructure or policy tradeoff decisions.