Welcome Service Members! Earn Strategic Planning and Management professional certification and credentials from the International Association for Strategic Planning.
LBL Strategies is the ONLY certified Veteran-Owned Small Business providing training to prepare for professional certification in strategy management. We are here to help you navigate the funding and application process for your specific branch.
Strategic Management Performance System (SMPS)
The Mastering Strategy: Strategic Management Performance System Certification Program (SMPS), is offered in association with the George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, part of the College of Professional Studies. Endorsed by the Baldridge Foundation, this course is an intensive, hands-on Continuing Professional Education program for military members who are looking to obtain strategy management certification and credentials, by building their skill sets in the management of strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
This program equips you with the skills you need to succeed by:
- Learning effective strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation practices
- Learning how to lead strategic planning efforts
- Bridging the gap between planning and execution principles and practical tools to guide agile planning and decision making.
- Preparing you for the International Association for Strategic Planning (IASP) certification
Testimonials
"Often, our cumulative military experiences are well-understood within military circles, but when trying to relate ourplanning, strategy, and leadership skills to new employers, we face a translation wall, as strategy is frequently used to achieve a task or complete an operation. However, with shifting priorities, we often neglect the strategic management of our organizations which would apply a set of processes and competencies to specify goals, then develop and manage initiatives to attain these goals, and determine the long-run performance of an organization."
LTC
U.S. Army
"The “Mastering Strategy” Strategic Management Performance System course provided me with both the theory and practice of what it takes to devise a coherent, executable strategy. As a member of the DoD, I see great value in applying this knowledge to shape the strategic direction of my organization and implement, execute, and assess both the long-term strategy and strategic operating plan. The course work, case studies, and templates all were very helpful in getting ready for the Association for Strategic Planning “Strategic Planning Professional” (SPP) certification process. Lastly, the professional cadre was very helpful and provided the individual attention to promptly answer every question I had about the content, and process, and contributed greatly to my success in the course."
Major Brett Butler
U.S. Army
“The GWU/LBL SMPS course was one of the best decisions I made! I learned several concepts and techniques that I have applied way before the course ended. I had many light bulb moments for some of the challenges I was trying to solve on my strategic management journey. Support throughout the course was phenomenal and addition of best practices and lessons learned added great value for me. Thank you!”
Myrna Mckenzie
“Encouraging participation across the groups to gain a broader perspective for my organization and applying the strategies to the realities of my organization.”
Tom Conaway
“Wow, this course exceeded my expectations and more. I’ve taken numerous strategy courses over my career, and this one is by far the most comprehensive of useful knowledge, skills, and tools that can be readily applied to the real world. The instructors are top notch, combining expertise, experience, and humor to make for an engaging class experience.”
Cheryl Christopher
“The Mastering Strategy Program provided a comprehensive framework (Strategic Management Performance System) to think about strategy as a discipline starting with assessing the needs to strategy formulation, execution and performance management.”
Naseem Saiyed
“The program was great! Very thorough the amount of material and the tools provided exceeded expectations.”
Tom Cavaness
Catherine Murillo
U.S. Army
Courses Offered
Earn certification from George Washington University-CEPL in the SMPS Framework.
Online Live Boot Camp
10 half-day course provides in-depth interactions with instructors and peers. Includes handbook and a case study for breakout exercises.
Live Online
10-week online course provides access to live instructors, students and discussion forums. Includes e-copy toolkit and textbook.
Self-Paced Online
If you can’t attend our live course, we offer the same material, taught via e-learning modules that you can access and study at your own pace.
Funding Options
For more information on funding options and available programs, select your service portal below.
Helpful links for soldiers
Apply for funding via the Army IgnitED website with the help of this Step-by-Step Guide.
Additional helpful links:
- Use Full Credential Search to find the Strategic Planning Professional Level 1 and Strategic Management Professional Level 2
- Learn more about the Army COOL Program
- Learn more about the Army Credentialing Assistance Program
- Get answers to Soldier FAQs about Army Credentialing Assistance
Helpful links for marines:
Due to budgets cuts the Marine Corps COOL funding for Certifications is exhausted until October 2022.
Certification training and exams can be purchased using unit funding and SF182.
- Use Full Credential Search to find the Strategic Planning Professional Level 1 and Strategic Management Professional Level 2
- Learn more about the Marine Corps COOL Program
- Learn more about the Marine Corps Credentialing Assistance Application and Voucher process and complete this Voucher Request
- Get answers to Marine Corps FAQs about COOL Funding
Helpful links for sailors:
Due to budgets cuts the Navy COOL funding for Certifications is exhausted until October 2022.
Certification training and exams can be purchased using unit funding and SF182.
- Use Full Credential Search to find the Strategic Planning Professional Level 1 and Strategic Management Professional Level 2
- Learn more about the Navy COOL Program
- Learn more about the Navy Credentialing Assistance Application and Voucher process and complete this Voucher Request
- Get answers to the Navy FAQs about COOL Funding
Helpful links for airmen:
- Use the Full Credential Search to find the Strategic Planning Professional Level 1 and Strategic Management Professional Level 2
- Learn more about the Air Force COOL Program
- Learn more about the Air Force Credentialing Assistance Application Process
- Get answers to Air Force FAQs about COOL Funding
Helpful links for coast guardsman:
- Use the Full Credential Search to find the Strategic Planning Professional Level 1 and Strategic Management Professional Level 2
- Learn more about the Coast Guards COOL Program
- Learn more about the Coast Guards Application Process
- Get answers to the Coast Guardsman FAQs about COOL Funding
Upcoming Events
Annual Conferences, Monthly Webinars, and Member only Meetings and Events.
Mentorship Programs
Connect with Strategic Thinking, Planning, and Action Professionals.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with Like Minded Strategic Thinkers from Diverse Environments and Experiences.