What is the Certified Decision Making Specialist?

The Certified Decision Making Specialist is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Soft Skills & Personal Dev..

How long does this certification take?

The programme is 12 Week and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@leadership.co.ke, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Decision Making Specialist (CDEMS) | Online Certification

Executive Summary

Certified Decision Making Specialist

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Decision Making Specialist (CDEMS) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in human resource management, talent development and organisational effectiveness.

This 12 Week programme is structured around SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CDEMS holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Decision Making Specialist

Acronym

CDEMS

Who Should Enrol?

Engagement and motivation — applied to your own work
Tools for interaction and collaboration — applied to your own work
Energy and pacing online — applied to your own work
Troubleshooting and readiness — applied to your own work
Session and lesson planning — applied to your own work
Presentation and public speaking — applied to your own work

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards CHRO and senior people-management roles

Professional Recognition

Credential aligned with SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex human resource management functions

Organisational Impact

Design and implement human resource management systems that drive performance and measurable results

Compliance Readiness

Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to human resource management

Global Employability

Qualify for human resource management roles across multinationals, NGOs and international organisations worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Talent Acquisition, Resourcing and Onboarding

✦Learning, Development and Talent Management

✦Performance, Reward and Employee Relations

✦HR Strategy, Analytics and Workforce Planning

✦Employment Law, Compliance and HR Governance

✦Professional Ethics and Governance

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

Click any module to explore the detailed curriculum topics included in this certification.

Foundations and Professional Context of Certified Decision Making Specialist

Certified Decision Making Specialist: industry context, trends and professional standards
Principles of teaching, training and learning
Adult learning theory (andragogy)
The learning and development profession
Roles, standards and professional ethics
The learning ecosystem and stakeholders
Learning strategy and business alignment
Learning cultures and the learning organisation
Equity, diversity and inclusive education
The evidence base for effective learning
Career pathways and professional development

Engagement and motivation

Engagement and motivation
Virtual classroom facilitation
Designing engaging online sessions
Measuring learning transformation impact
Professional ethics in education and training
Academic integrity and honesty
Inclusion, accessibility and fairness
Safeguarding and learner welfare
Data protection and learner privacy
Intellectual property and content rights
Quality standards and accreditation
Governance and accountability
Responsible use of AI in learning
Learning KPIs and scorecards
Evaluation and ROI measurement

Tools for interaction and collaboration

Tools for interaction and collaboration
Blended delivery techniques
Managing hybrid audiences
Collaboration with subject experts
Leading learning projects and change
Team leadership in L&D
Learning transformation and modernisation
Digital learning strategy
Innovation and experimentation in learning
Skills-based and continuous learning
Scaling learning across the organisation
Future of work and reskilling
Sustaining transformation and benefits
Learner and stakeholder satisfaction
L&D maturity assessment

Energy and pacing online

Energy and pacing online
Assessment and feedback online
Accessibility in delivery
Feedback and learner support
E-learning authoring and development
Learning management systems (LMS)
Multimedia and video for learning
Microlearning and mobile learning
Gamification and interactive design
Virtual classrooms and webinars
Social and collaborative learning
Accessibility and universal design
Emerging learning technologies
Assessment design and methods
Formative and summative assessment

Troubleshooting and readiness

Troubleshooting and readiness
Measuring engagement and impact
Training needs analysis
Building the learning brand
Aligning learning to performance
Leading the learning function
Onboarding and induction design
Technical and compliance training
Sales and customer-service training
Apprenticeships and work-based learning
Higher and further education contexts
Language and communication training
Creativity and critical-thinking development
Wellbeing and personal-effectiveness learning
Community and lifelong learning

Session and lesson planning

Session and lesson planning
Learning objectives and outcomes
Active-learning methods
Learning data privacy and ethics
Innovation in learning technology
Learning strategy and roadmaps
L&D operating models and governance
Academic and training administration
Budgeting and resource management
Vendor and faculty management
Talent, succession and workforce learning
Diagnosing whether training is the answer
Designing learning for transfer, not coverage
Facilitation in mixed-ability, multilingual rooms
Assessment that measures capability

Presentation and public speaking

Presentation and public speaking
Questioning and discussion
Active and experiential learning
Presenting learning proposals and impact
Managing learner expectations
Driving measurable learning impact
Building a learning culture
Knowledge management and sharing
Communities of practice
Capturing and curating expertise
Learning in the flow of work
Self-directed and continuous learning
Talent and capability ecosystems
Embedding learning in performance
Sustaining a learning organisation

Quality and Improvement

Feasibility, cost and quality analysis
Design review and quality assurance
ERP concepts and business processes
Business process mapping
Process optimisation and RPA
Quality assurance and standards
Continuous improvement of programmes
Resource efficiency and circularity
Ethics and professional standards in finance
Process re-engineering and shared services
Process efficiency and cycle-time metrics
Energy efficiency and demand management
Mineral processing and beneficiation
Quality management on site: inspections, hold points and defects
Healthcare quality, safety and accreditation

People and Capability

Managing the training function as a business
Learning needs analysis at organisational level
Knowledge management and organisational learning
Inclusive learning and accessibility
Marketing and promoting learning
Capstone scoping: a real learning challenge
Designing a learning programme or curriculum
Learning needs analysis (TNA)
Writing learning objectives and outcomes
Designing for different learning modalities
Learning materials and job aids
Peer learning and communities of practice
Learning technology ecosystem
Learning analytics and data
AI and adaptive learning

Technology and Systems

Digital, blended and low-bandwidth delivery
Data governance in enterprise systems
Performance management systems and cycles
Safety management systems (ISO 45001)
Stakeholders and users of financial information
The finance function and digital transformation
Digital finance and automation roadmaps
Board reporting and information flows
Safety management systems overview (ISO 45001)
Analytical techniques and bias
Environmental management systems (ISO 14001)
Integrated and sustainability reporting
Water supply systems: sources, treatment and distribution
Regulation, ethics and misinformation in media and telecoms
Telehealth and digital care delivery

Environment and Sustainability

Monitoring, evaluation and sustainability plan
Sustainability certification and standards
Social media customer care
Responsible and sustainable banking
Social performance and outreach
Sustainable and green banking
Control environment and risk assessment
Emerging assurance areas (ESG)
Corporate social responsibility communications
Climate and sustainability responsibility
Sustainability, ESG and integrated value
Reporting quality and governance
The regulatory and legal environment
Trends: ESG, transparency and stakeholder capitalism
Responsible and sustainable governance

Ethics and Accountability

Accountability and follow-through
Professional ethics and responsibility (PMI)
Conflicts of interest and procurement ethics
Professional standards and ethics
Marketing and sales ethics
Conflicts of interest and transparency
Management accounts and dashboards
Cost and profitability analysis
Roles, standards and professional conduct
Ethics and fair customer treatment
Professional ethics in customer service
Ethics and integrity in banking
Professional ethics and banking conduct
Treating customers fairly and market conduct
Integrity, confidentiality and conflicts

Policy and Institutions

Presentation and public-speaking skills
Public versus private procurement
Policy administration and customer service in insurance
Public health programmes: prevention and outreach
Psychoeducation and public communication
Media and public communication
Forecasting and planning
Facilitation, training and public presentation skills
Advocacy and policy engagement
Data visualisation for finance
Public, private and non-profit governance
Policy, planning and objectives
Research methods for policy
Policy development and drafting
Public consultation and engagement

Service and Beneficiaries

Voice of the customer programmes
Design thinking for service
Reducing customer effort
Customer effort and sentiment analysis
CRM systems and customer data
Service analytics and dashboards
Customer service technology stack
Unified customer view
Emerging service technologies
Customer loyalty and advocacy
Customer lifetime value
Voice of the customer to the business
Leading service projects and change
Team leadership in customer service
Customer onboarding and lifecycle

Safety and Wellbeing

Health financing: budgets, insurance and out-of-pocket realities
Procurement and stock management for health commodities
Record-keeping and data protection
Working with organisations on wellbeing
Risk assessment and safety planning
Wellbeing and resilience coaching
Health, safety and compliance in delivery
Brand safety and responsible marketing
Customer and brand health metrics
Brand health and measurement
Regulatory compliance and biosafety
Decision support and insight
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches
Health records, data and confidentiality
Attachment and developmental theory

Procurement and Supply

Professional roles, boundaries and settings
Ethical principles and codes of practice
Subcontractor and supplier management
Managing boundaries and dual relationships
Goal setting and contracting
Procurement and contract value
Procurement and contract management
Vendor selection and management
Supply market analysis
Contract law and formation
Contract exit and renewal
Sustainable procurement principles and standards
Fair trade and responsible supply
Procurement and asset management under donor rules
Vendor, venue and supplier contracting for events

Change and Innovation

Innovation and fintech collaboration
Foreign exchange and treasury operations
Technology governance and change control
Foreign exchange and hedging
Supplier development and innovation
Change management and adoption
Finance transformation and target operating models
Change management in finance
Innovation and fintech partnerships
Measuring transformation impact
Regulatory change management
Change and adoption in projects
Innovation and continuous delivery
Measuring change and project impact
Baseline setting and change control

Strategic Context

Peer support and consultation
Digital and market transformation
Managing growth, risk and resilience
Sustaining ethical, effective practice
Regulatory compliance and market requirements
Ethical frameworks and codes of practice
Linking CX to business performance
Customer service and CX strategy
Aligning service to brand and business
Building the business case for CX
Sustaining strategic customer focus
Carbon markets and climate finance
The business case for productivity, quality and sustainability
Key global frameworks: FAO, GlobalG.A.P., SDGs and national strategies
Organic, inorganic and biological fertiliser strategies

Inclusion and Equity

Brand strategy, identity and equity
Gender, youth and social inclusion in agricultural development
Handling vulnerable customers
Financial inclusion and agency banking
Financial inclusion strategy
Nomination, succession and diversity
The business case for diversity and inclusion
Team diversity and inclusion
Diversity and pay-equity analytics
Cross-cultural and global inclusion
Inclusion and the fairness of people decisions
Digital accessibility and inclusion
Vulnerability management
Financial inclusion and serving underbanked markets
Diversity, inclusion and inclusive leadership

Crisis and Resilience

Resilience, wellbeing and stress management
Operational risk and resilience
Crisis communications
Emergency preparedness and response planning
Business continuity and recovery
Individual development planning
Stakeholder mapping and partnering
Needs analysis and audience assessment
Maintenance in production: preventive, predictive and breakdown
Root cause analysis and corrective action on the line
Costing production: standard costs, variances and the true cost of scrap

Research and Method

Problem definition and analysis
Stakeholder and impact analysis
Designing and testing a compliance programme
Training needs analysis and learning strategy
Onboarding and induction programme design
Designing a safety programme or control
Legal, cost and feasibility analysis
Risk assessment methodology and matrices
Job safety analysis (JSA) and task risk
Root-cause analysis techniques
Trend analysis and leading indicators
Structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis
Cost and price analysis
Comparable sales analysis and market evidence
Tour and event concept design and packaging

Knowledge and Records

Professional writing and documentation
Professional report writing and presentation
Process and control documentation
Tender planning and documentation
Knowledge management and capability building
Incident reporting and record-keeping
Vehicle documentation, compliance and consumer protection
Duty of care and risk management
Data, records and confidentiality tech
Lessons learned and knowledge management
Professional documentation and presentation

International and Donor Context

Governance in state, donor-funded and family-owned entities
Proposal development and donor reporting
Change talk and readiness
Goal setting and action planning
Habit change and behaviour design
Emerging tools and innovation
Working with referrers and multidisciplinary teams
Communicating with families and carers
Collaboration and teamwork
Writing advisory reports that drive decisions
The project environment and stakeholders

Leadership and Governance

Consulting with sponsors and managers
Managing group dynamics
Classroom and workshop management
Content curation and management
Governance and organisational value
Governance frameworks and codes
Conflicts of interest management
Leadership and management development
Managing employment disputes and tribunals
Communicating and reporting to leadership
Managing HR projects and change
Data quality and governance
Programme management principles
Portfolio management and prioritisation
Value management and business value

Risk, Compliance and Assurance

Change control and configuration
Project budgeting and financial control
Financial risk in projects
Monitoring, control and reporting
Time and cost control
Risk identification and analysis
Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis
Risk response and contingency
Quality control and continuous improvement
Integrated risk and quality control
Implementation planning and risk management
Model risk and provisioning (IFRS 9)
Regulatory compliance and central-bank rules
Regulatory reporting and audits
Building a culture of compliance

Resources and Value

Materials, aids and resources
How insurance works: risk pooling and the value chain
Complaints, accountability and fitness to practise
Vehicle financing, insurance and total cost of ownership conversations
Non-revenue water, metering and cost recovery
Geology, exploration and resource estimation
Legal responsibilities and professional bodies
Preparing financial statements
Financial reporting frameworks (IFRS/GAAP)
Interpreting financial statements
Budget vs actual and variance
Realising and measuring project value
Cost estimation and budgeting
Resource planning and levelling
Earned value management

Evidence and Reporting

Feedback and learner analytics
Dashboards and reporting
Text and interaction analytics
Data privacy and consent
Coaching and quality monitoring
Transaction monitoring and suspicious reporting
Data, analytics and customer insight
Data ethics, privacy and protection
Control monitoring and reporting
Data analytics in audit
Evidence, judgement and scepticism
Sustainability reporting and disclosure
Risk registers and reporting
Continuous risk monitoring
Monitoring, evaluation and learning for accountability

Stakeholders and Engagement

Completion, engagement and impact metrics
Engagement, motivation and energisers
Stakeholders, agency and accountability
Shareholder and stakeholder rights
Employee engagement models and drivers
Attrition, engagement and productivity analytics
Stakeholder engagement and risk management
Employee engagement and what actually drives it
The HR operating model and business partnering
Managing resistance and engagement
Worker engagement and empowerment
Group dynamics, facilitation and community mobilisation
Proactive engagement and success
Win-back and re-engagement
Employee experience and engagement

Planning and Delivery

Delivery and facilitation plan
Leading project governance
Scaling delivery capability
Building project management maturity
Sustainability and social impact in projects
Project KPIs and performance metrics
Project management maturity assessment
Driving measurable delivery improvement
Developing the project business case
Capstone scoping: a real project or programme
Designing the project plan and schedule
Client feedback and satisfaction
Evidence-based improvement
HACCP principles and prerequisite programmes
Advisory service design and delivery

Communication and Influence

Professional portfolio and presentation
Property viewings, offers and negotiation to close
Underwriting principles and risk selection
The media and telecommunications landscape
Managing risk and difficult cases
Communicating financial results
Professional case study and presentation
Professional writing and reports
Communication planning and management
Negotiation and conflict management
Facilitation and workshops
Executive communication and presence
Cross-cultural communication
Negotiation strategy and planning
Negotiation tactics and behaviours

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Engagement and motivation — applied to your own work
Tools for interaction and collaboration — applied to your own work
Energy and pacing online — applied to your own work
Troubleshooting and readiness — applied to your own work
Session and lesson planning — applied to your own work
Presentation and public speaking — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

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Step 1: Choose Your Certification

You are viewing Certified Decision Making Specialist — one of GLI's 1,990+ globally recognised professional certifications.

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Step 2: Enrol & Pay Online — Instantly

Click Enrol & Study Online to register and pay securely via Paystack, Visa, Mastercard, M-Pesa or bank transfer. Access is granted the moment payment is confirmed.

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Step 3: Study in the GLI Learning Portal

Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

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Step 4: Pass, Get Certified & Verified

Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CDEMS certification?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

Who should enrol in the CDEMS?

This certification is ideal for HR Managers and Directors, HR Business Partners, Learning and Development Managers and Employee Relations and OD Specialists, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in human resource management, talent development and organisational effectiveness with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CDEMS certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 12 Week and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CDEMS internationally recognised?

What is the cost of the CDEMS certification?

The Certified Decision Making Specialist is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CDEMS certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CDEMS?

The Certified Decision Making Specialist is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CDEMS?

The Certified Decision Making Specialist carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CDEMS while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CDEMS?

Graduates progress towards CHRO and senior people-management roles. The CDEMS strengthens your expertise in human resource management, talent development and organisational effectiveness and positions you for advancement across multinationals, NGOs and international organisations.

Certified Decision Making Specialist

Certified Decision Making Specialist

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

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