After becoming an SDP member, individuals may apply for certification as a decision analysis Associate, Practitioner, Lead Practitioner, or Fellow. SDP Certification is a rigorous, standardized process including competency level evaluation, assessment of experience, and (at levels beyond Associate) recommendations and review of industry involvement and published materials. If a member would like to apply for SDP Certification, please contact us to guide you through the process below:
There are four levels within the SDP's career ladder; Associate, Practitioner, Lead Practitioner, and Fellow. The levels are described across the following key areas:
The Associate certification can be achieved, pending election by the SDP Certification Council, by at least one of the following:
Please note that there is no fee for certification, it is a benefit of membership in the Society of Decision Professionals. There is no requirement for certification to be a member of the Society. Because of the effort by Society volunteers, certification can only be assessed for candidates who are members.
For more information on how to apply, click HERE to download a pdf.
The following is a description of the Associate, Practitioner and and Lead Practitioner along with links to the application forms. The Fellow designation follows thereafter.
Criteria | Associate | Practitioner | Lead Practitioner | |
Process and Facilitative Leadership Dimensions :
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"Has a working knowledge of how to frame and structure a decision problem.” This includes being able to:
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"Has a working knowledge of how to frame and structure a decision problem.”
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" Effective in leading team members and decision makers on engagements of high analytical and organizational complexity and uncertainty. Can also guide a team to solution even when there is a lack of clarity on what the frame is." This includes being able to:
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Decision Analysis and Modelling Dimensions:
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"Understands how to use simple structured decision-modelling tools to help gain agreement on which alternative to pursue." This includes being able to:
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"Can independently carry out structured analysis on problems where standard or well know approaches are applicable." This includes being able to:
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"Can lead any modelling and decision analysis activity even when standard or well known approaches are not applicable i.e. can develop and use novel approaches." This includes being able to:
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Creativity and Problem Solving Dimensions :
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Not required | "Proactive problem solver in areas related to own technical and industry background." This includes being able to:
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"Develops or inspires teams to develop novel solutions to opportunities." This includes being able to:
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Information Gathering & Value Assessment Dimensions :
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"Basic understanding of uncertainty and the value of information in decision making." This includes being able to:
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"Is capable of leading information and value assessment sessions which have clearly defined information and values" This includes being able to:
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"As well as leading information and value assessment sessions, is capable of judging the quality of information, uncertainty and resulting value, and quickly identifying any underlying drivers" This includes being able to:
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Education and Training Dimensions :
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Not required | "Is keen to improve own and others decision analysis skills." This includes being able to:
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"Is improving the decision making capabilities of decision practitioners, project teams and decision makers." This includes being able to:
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Project Management Dimensions :
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Not required | "Is comfortable operating within the requirements of a project and proactive in understanding his/her role." This includes being able to:
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"Can successfully design, supervise, and lead a large project or several small projects concurrently." This includes being able to:
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Education, Experience and Election Process | The Associate certification can be achieved by at least one of the following:
All training options need to be equivalent to 16 hours or more of training and cover a curriculum to match the elements identified in the criteria below. In lieu of the training options, the applicant can demonstrate the skills gained on-the-job through practical experience (again these should match the criteria above). |
Graduate in a technical/business subject including a decision analysis component or formal decision analysis training. At least 1 year full-time equivalent experience of applying Decision Analysis. Elected by 2 Lead Practitioners or Fellows and a customer of their services. |
Same as Practitioner requirement plus evidence of continuing learning. This may be self-study, conference attendance, or additional courses in decision analysis or closely related areas. At least 3 years full-time equivalent experience of applying Decision Analysis Elected by 3 Lead Practitioners or Fellows, with at least one Fellow, and a customer of |
As well as the "Practitioner" and "Lead Practitioner" designations the society will also include "Fellow" level membership. A Fellow, in addition to meeting all the Lead Practitioner requirements, will also need to accumulate enough experience, be elected by other fellows, be a role model for the society's members, and help improve the decision analysis practice. So, to be designated as fellow, members need to:
Fellows need at least 5 years full-time equivalent experience in applying Decision Analysis. They need to be elected by at least three other fellows.
Fellows need to be role models for members of the society - with other members wanting to emulate their decision analysis capabilities. Examples of what it means to be a role model include:
Fellows need to help undertake activities that will improve the decision analysis practice. Examples of how they may improve the practice include: