SAS® Certified Specialist — Forecasting and Optimization Using SAS® Viya®

On this accelerated SAS® Certified Specialist: Forecasting and Optimization Using SAS® Viya course,

Successful candidates are familiar with SAS® Model Studio and SAS® Studio for Optimization. They are skilled in tasks such as: creating, fitting and refining forecast models, visualizing modeling data, building and sharing custom pipelines for large-scale forecasting analyses and Solving optimization problems using linear, mixed integer linear and non-linear programming.

In just 2 days, you’ll learn Data visualization. You’ll also learn how to:

• Pipeline modeling
• Hierarchical forecasting
• Post-forecasting functionality
• Optimization

At the end of this course, you’ll sit the SAS exam, and achieve your SAS® Certified Specialist: Forecasting and Optimization Using SAS® Viya certification. Through Firebrand’s Lecture | Lab | Review methodology, you’ll get certified at twice the speed of the traditional training and get access to courseware, learn from certified instructors, and train in a distraction-free environment.

Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Data scientists, forecasters, analysts, economists and others who create forecasting models.

Module 1: Data Visualization (15% – 20%)

Create project and load data

• Create a Forecasting project (define variable roles)
• Load data from various sources
• Use Data tab functionality

Visualize data using attribute variables

• Load Attributes table
• Identify scenarios in which attribute variable are useful in visualizing data
• Create a Visualization using Attribute Variables

Module 2: Pipeline Modeling (25% – 30%)

Model using a pipeline

• Auto-forecast using a pipeline
• Build and run a custom pipeline
• Given a scenario select and use appropriate pipeline template
• Visualize the forecasts

Determine the champion models

• Compare models within a pipeline
• Recognize and interpret the model family of the champion model
• Define the role of accuracy statistics in pipeline comparison
• Select the champion model for the project
• Explore the champion model

Judge model accuracy using accuracy statistics

• Define and calculate MAPE, MAE, RMSE Adaptive learning
• Given a scenario determine when is best appropriate to use MAPE, MAE or RMSE
• Use a holdout sample to do honest assessment

Module 3: Hierarchical Forecasting (15% – 20%)

Generate a forecast using data with a hierarchical structure

• Generate a hierarchical forecast with default functionality
• Improve the fit of a forecast by adding combined models
• Share a model using The Exchange
• Visualize the forecast models for a given level of the hierarchy

Use Time Series data creation options

• Explain the differences between data accumulation and data aggregation
• Given a scenario select the appropriate accumulation or aggregation options

Implement a hierarchical model or combined model

• Given a scenario select the appropriate reconciliation method for a hierarchical model
• Generate a combined model

Module 4: Post-Forecasting Functionality (10% – 15%)

Implement an override on a forecast in SAS Model Studio

• Apply an override to a forecast
• Resolve an override conflict
• Use attribute variable to set an override
• Disseminate tables containing the results of a forecast (manually vs. automatically)

Export a forecast

• Prepare exported data set for use in SAS Visual Analytics

Module 5: Optimization (25% – 30%)

Optimize using Linear Programming

• Explain local properties of functions that are used to solve mathematical optimization problems
• Use the OPTMODEL procedure to enter and solve simple linear programming problems
• Formulate linear programming problems using index sets of arrays of decision variables, families of constraints, and values stored in parameter arrays
• Modify a linear programming problem (changing bounds or coefficients, fixing variables, adding variables or constraints) within the OPTMODEL procedure

Optimize using Nonlinear Programming

• Use the OPTMODEL procedure to enter and solve simple nonlinear programming problems
• Describe how, conceptually and geometrically, iterative improvement algorithms solve nonlinear programming problems
• Identify the optimality conditions for nonlinear programming problems
• Solve nonlinear programming problems using OPTMODEL procedure
• Interpret information written to the SAS log during the solution of a nonlinear programming problem
• Differentiate between the NLP algorithms and how solver options influence the NLP algorithms

Optimize using Mixed Integer Linear Programming

• Use the OPTMODEL procedure to enter and solve simple MILP problems
• Identify the optimality conditions for MILP problems
• Solve MILP programming problems using the OPTMODEL procedure

At the end of this accelerated course, you’ll sit the following exam at the Firebrand Training centre, covered Certification Guarantee:

SAS® Certified Specialist: Forecasting and Optimization Using SAS® Viya A00-407 Exam

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Format: Multiple choice and short-answer questions
• Number of questions: 50 questions.
• Passing score: Passing score is 68%
• Domains:
  • 15-20% - Data visualization
  • 25-30% - Pipeline modeling
  • 15-20% - Hierarchical forecasting
  • 10-15% - Post-forecasting functionality
  • 25-30% - Optimization

There are no prerequisites for this accelerated course.

Your accelerated course includes:

• Accommodation *
• Meals, unlimited snacks, beverages, tea and coffee *
• On-site exams **
• Exam vouchers **
• Practice tests **
• Certification Guarantee ***
• Courseware
• Up-to 12 hours of instructor-led training each day
• 24-hour lab access
• Digital courseware **

* For residential training only. Accommodation is included from the night before the course starts. This doesn't apply for online courses.
** Some exceptions apply. Please refer to the Exam Track or speak with our experts.
*** Pass first time or train again free as many times as it takes, unlimited for 1 year. Just pay for accommodation, exams, and incidental costs.

Seven reasons why you should sit your course with Firebrand Training

• Two options of training. Choose between residential classroom-based, or online courses
• You'll be certified fast. With us, you’ll be trained in record time
• Our course is all-inclusive. A one-off fee covers all course materials, exams**, accommodation* and meals*. No hidden extras.
• Pass the first time or train again for free. This is our guarantee. We’re confident you’ll pass your course the first time. But if not, come back within a year and only pay for accommodation, exams and incidental costs
• You’ll learn more. A day with a traditional training provider generally runs from 9 am – 5 pm, with a nice long break for lunch. With Firebrand Training you’ll get at least 12 hours/day of quality learning time, with your instructor
• You’ll learn faster. Chances are, you’ll have a different learning style to those around you. We combine visual, auditory and tactile styles to deliver the material in a way that ensures you will learn faster and more easily
• You’ll be studying with the best. We’ve been named in the Training Industry’s “Top 20 IT Training Companies of the Year” every year since 2010. As well as winning many more awards, we’ve trained and certified over 135,000 professionals

*For residential training only. Doesn't apply for online courses
**Some exceptions apply. Please refer to the Exam Track or speak with our experts

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