FCCI - Fundamental Certificate in Competitive Intelligence™
Accredited as University Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
Are your competitors outsmarting you? Is your organization struggling to stay ahead in today’s fast-paced and rapidly evolving competitive landscape? The Fundamental Certificate in Competitive Intelligence™ (FCCI) program equips you with the tools, techniques, and strategies to decode your competitive environment, so you can outsmart the competition. Unlock your potential, gain the skills and confidence to drive actionable insights, and transform your career with this globally recognized university certificate. Learn from the experts and become your organization’s very own Sherlock Holmes for competitive intelligence (CI).
At a Glance
- Flexible Learning:
Individually adapted program length (recommended 18 weeks) with 8–24 hours per week of study (approximately 450 learning hours). - Blended Format:
A mix of self-paced learning, live workshops, and hands-on projects. - Remote or In-Person Options:
Choose between fully remote learning or a blend of in-person and remote attendance. - Designed for Working Professionals:
Whatever industry you work in, with our FCCITM program, you can effectively balance your full-time work commitments with your studies. - Global Recognition:
Earn a prestigious certificate accredited as a University Certificate of Advanced Studies.
Visit Us
Find up-to-date information on our website: www.institute-for-competitive-intelligence.com/FCCI
Structure of the FCCI™ Program
The FCCITM program comprises nine modules designed to build foundational knowledge and advanced competencies.
Competitive/Market Intelligence Basics (ICI-1)
The Competitive Intelligence Basics workshop covers the fundamentals for conducting competitive intelligence research, using analytical tools, and harnessing the value of information. Participants will be brought up to speed about essentials aspects of CI/MI – it is the ideal refresher workshop and an efficient introduction to CI/MI.
Competence Training for Competitive/Market Intelligence Excellence (ICI-2)
This workshop is aimed at getting the best out of the most important factor in your competitive/market intelligence environment: You!
To effectively leverage the theories and concepts of the intelligence discipline, personal effectiveness, professionalism and organizational skills are key. This one-day intensive development workshop will help you to review your working practices and enhance these all-important skills and competences to support you in your day-to-day work as a competitive/market intelligence professional. Additional highlights include career planning, team work facilitation and the Competitive Intelligence Body of Knowledge.
Competitive/Market Intelligence Reporting and Communication (ICI-3)
In order to harness the true value of competitive intelligence, a clear process is required for structuring data and reporting of intelligence. This workshop explains how to successfully implement competitive intelligence reporting as a means of communicating and interacting with intelligence users. You’ll be inspired by various hands-on examples from international corporations to small and medium enterprises.
Advanced Web Intelligence - OSINT - Open Source Intelligence (ICI-4)
The Advanced Web Intelligence workshop will provide you with an in-depth understanding of research principles for open source intelligence research (online/offline databases, Internet search engines). You’ll have the chance to try out such options from determining the research issue to presenting the results. You will learn how to obtain focused, comprehensive, and thorough results by effectively planning and conducting your web intelligence operations.
A significant amount of competitive intelligence can be derived from information obtained through human intelligence (HUMINT). The Primary Research workshop looks at the many opportunities for collecting valuable information through personal interaction with company employees, competitors, and other individuals within the industry.
Fundamental Analysis Methods for Markets and Competitors (ICI-6)
This workshop focuses on how to master a range of fundamental competitive/market intelligence analysis methods and decide when to apply them. You will learn how to analyze your competitors and competitive environment effectively and visualize complex data, in order to deliver analytical insights for making corporate, strategic decisions.
Capstone Project Competitive/Market Intelligence (ICI-7)
This workshop serves as an umbrella case study for assessing participants’ capabilities and competences for the content covered in the fundamental workshops ICI-1 to ICI-6. Working with other participants on a competitive intelligence assignment set in a real-world environment, you will have the opportunity to hone your CI skills and identify shortcomings and room for improvement.
Assignments & Exam
After your workshops, you’ll work on supervised assignments to practice what you have learned. Assignments are integrated challenges where you apply state-of-the art methodologies to solve real life cases. Individual feedback will be provided. ICI’s on-line learning platform serves as the base for efficient teamwork and communication with your supervisor. Assignments are mandatory and will be graded. After completion of the assignments you can schedule a written, live on-line exam session.
Benefits
- Earn a University Certificate of Advanced Studies degree including 18 credit points (CP) according to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).
- Our comprehensive and proven blended learning concept consists of live online classes and supervised assignments. Your learning success as well as our educational quality are our priorities.
- Profound competitive intelligence education.
- Understanding of the nature of intelligence as well as its limits and the potential for competitive advantage.
- Learn about your own strengths and weaknesses as a competitive/market intelligence professional and identify gaps in your competence and skill profile.
- In-depth knowledge of important analysis methods, how and when to apply them, and what their potentials and limitations are.
- Ability to engage with people effectively and guide the conversation in order to elicit key information. Competence in conducting effective Internet and online database research (open source intelligence).
- Apply concepts for the content and structure of intelligence reports: media, style, and design rules, as well as publication calendars.
- The FCCI counts towards ICI’s flagship program “Certificate of Proficiency in Competitive Intelligence (CPCI)”.
- ICI’s Certificate Alumni members receive discounts for further certificates and ICI’s conferences.
- ICI live classes are scheduled in convenient modules allowing participants from around the globe to participate.
Aimed at
- Competitive/Market Intelligence Analysts
- Market Researchers
- Management/Strategy Consultants
- Entrepeneurs
Package
- 80 hrs live online classes.
- Written final exam
- Two graded off-class assignments
- Access to ICI’s online learning platform with related readings and guidelines
- Access to ICI’s insight center (webinars, presentations, interviews)
- Workshop hand-outs (incl. case studies)
- University Certificate of Advanced Studies with 18 ECTS credit points and a workload of about 450 hours over a period of 18 weeks (av. 25 hrs/week)
- Personal coaching
Application
We acknowledge that ICI’s certificate programs are very demanding and intellectually challenging. Participants need to commit substantial time and energy to master all certification requirements. Read what it is like to study for an ICI certificate.
Request your application package today! Once approved, we’ll plan your ICI journey through individual coaching sessions with you.