Mastering Strategy- Strategic Management Certification Training

FAQs for LBL Strategies Mastering Strategy SMPS Program

I’m interested in getting certified through the International Association for Strategy Professionals (IASP). Does the Mastering Strategy Program help prepare me for that?

Yes. Graduates of the Mastering Strategy program have been highly successful in pursuing IASP "industry" level certification at both "Strategic Planning Professional" (SPP) and "Strategic Management Professional" (SMP) levels. Historically the collective pass rate for IASP "SPP" and "SMP" certification exams on first sitting is above 95%.

A benefit to enrolling in the Mastering Strategy program is to become a new annual member of IASP at a 50% discount off the regular annual membership fee of $300.00 ($150.00 savings/one time only). Becoming a member, in turn, saves you money on IASP certification "application" and "examination" fees.

Can I earn continuing education/professional development credits in the Mastering Strategy Program?

Yes, but you will need to confirm this with your employer as they will have the relationship, as an organization, with an independent certifying body. Check with your Human Resources department to confirm this along with approval for tuition reimbursement. Typically, the face-to-face boot camp format provides 35 contact hours; the synchronous “live online” format provides 20 contact hours; the asynchronous “self-paced” format provides 15 contact hours.

With regards to claiming "CEU" credit, here is the current International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and U.S. Department of Education task force defined CEU standard of measurement:

"The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized measure of participation in an approved non-credit continuing education program. One Continuing Education Unit (1.0) is defined as: Ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction."

How long do I have to complete the Mastering Strategy Program?

For the “Live Online” program, you have 30 days beyond the last class session to complete the final exam. For “Self-Paced”, you have six months to complete the program and the final exam. For the “Boot Camp” program, you have 30 days to complete the final exam once the boot camp ends.

I’m new to strategic planning and management having responsibilities recently assigned to me in these areas. Is this program a good fit for me?

Yes. The Mastering Strategy program is a Continuing Professional Education that delivers “process driven” understanding and practical tools to those who currently manage or lead strategic planning and implementation along with those desiring to develop skills to take on responsibilities tied to strategy management. 

If I take the “Live Online” program and have to miss a class, what happens?

All ZOOM based class sessions are recorded and shared with learners later in the day after the session concludes. You will be provided with a download link to save recordings of all class sessions for future review and reference. This way, if you have to miss class, you can view it before the next session to keep up with the flow of instruction. 

What is the final exam like for the Mastering Strategy program? What is a passing grade?

Once you complete the “Live Online” class sessions, “Self-Paced” video-based instruction modules, or “Boot Camp” sessions you are given access to the program’s final exam. The final exam is completed online. You have 3 hours to complete the 40 multiple choice questions. The exam is taken open book-open note with a 75% correct answer rate required to pass.

“Live Online” and “Boot Camp” students have 30 days to complete the final exam after the last session is held. “Self-Paced” students complete the final within their 6-month window of access to the program.

Throughout the program, in all formats, there are learning recognition quizzes (taken online, ungraded) that help prepare you to take the final exam. Live Online and Boot Camp participants are given access to the quizzes and final exam by the instruction team while the Self-Paced participants access them via their learning modules.

If I have questions while taking the program, who do I contact?

Learners in the “Live Online” program have offline access to the program instruction team and coordinator via contact information provided. “Self-Paced” learners have access to the coordinator who will forward their questions to the content experts who will respond back directly to them. We encourage our learners to be in touch with concerns and questions on learned content and tools being provided as it relates to their work situation and organization. 

What is the difference between the Mastering Strategy: “Strategic Management Performance System” Program certification and IASP certifications?

Certification in the Strategic Management Performance System (SMPS) framework is available through the Mastering Strategy course offered in association with the George Washington University – Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (GWU-CEPL). SMPS certification requires successful completion of the LBL Strategies’ Mastering Strategy course content and passing the final exam which is
administered online.

Certification through the International Association for Strategy Professionals (IASP) is “industry” level certification provided and administered by the association.

• IASP offers two levels of industry certification: Strategic Planning Professional (SPP) and Strategic Management Professional (SMP). Please go to the IASP website for all application requirements, exam schedules, and all other details https://www.strategyassociation.org/page/certification
• As a “Registered Education Provider” for IASP, LBL Strategies has tailored the Mastering Strategy course to serve as an “exam prep” course for those pursuing IASP certification exams. Mastering Strategy is closely aligned to the IASP Body of Knowledge Guide.

When and where do I register for the Mastering Strategy Program?

For the “Live Online” format of the program, it is important to register no later than one week prior to the start to receive your start up information instructions and complete pre-program surveys and the first reading assignment. The “Self-Paced” program is on demand learning, so registration is not time sensitive.

Registration for either format of the program takes place on our website here:  https://www.lblstrategies.com/training-and-certification/strategic-management-performance-system/

Do you customize this program for organization team training?

Yes. LBL Strategies will customize the Mastering Strategy content and delivery to offer directly within your organization. We can create a hybrid course (combining live face-to-face sessions, online live, and online self-paced modules) and create a learning program that suits your organization’s specific needs. The advantage to a course tailored specifically to your organization, is that each breakout session can specifically involve the participants in strategy conversations around your specific situation. Contact us to discuss your particular needs contact@lblstrategies.com