Certified Defense Wargaming Analyst (CDWA) Certification Program by Tonex
The Certified Defense Wargaming Analyst (CDWA) Certification Program by Tonex prepares professionals to design, support, evaluate, and interpret defense wargaming activities used for strategic planning, operational analysis, force development, capability assessment, and decision support. Participants learn structured wargaming methodologies, scenario development, adjudication approaches, data collection, analytical frameworks, uncertainty assessment, and methods for transforming observations into defensible findings and recommendations.
The program uses a practical training approach that includes exercises, real-world case studies, and examples of processes and documentation used in defense wargaming projects. Participants examine how assumptions, objectives, player decisions, operational constraints, threat environments, and analytical evidence influence wargame outcomes.
Cybersecurity has become an essential consideration in contemporary defense wargaming because military operations increasingly depend on networks, digital command systems, data, communications, and cyber-enabled capabilities. Participants examine how cybersecurity threats, degraded communications, cyber operations, information integrity, and technology dependencies can influence operational decisions and mission effectiveness. The program strengthens the ability to incorporate cybersecurity considerations into defense analysis and strategic decision-making.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Explain the principles, purposes, and applications of defense wargaming.
- Develop structured wargaming objectives, assumptions, scenarios, and analytical questions.
- Apply appropriate adjudication and decision-analysis methods during defense wargaming activities.
- Evaluate player decisions, operational interactions, risks, constraints, and emerging outcomes.
- Collect, organize, and interpret qualitative and quantitative wargaming evidence.
- Incorporate cybersecurity threats and cyber-dependent operational factors into defense wargaming analysis.
- Develop clear findings, recommendations, and documentation for senior decision-makers.
Audience
This certification program is designed for:
- Defense Analysts
- Military Planning Professionals
- Wargaming Analysts
- Operational Research Professionals
- Defense Strategy Professionals
- Joint and Service Planning Staff
- Capability Development Professionals
- Intelligence Analysts
- Mission Planning Professionals
- Acquisition and Requirements Professionals
- Cybersecurity Professionals
- Defense Program Managers
- Government and National Security Professionals
Program Modules
Module 1: Defense Wargaming Foundations and Analytical Principles
- Purpose and functions of defense wargaming
- Strategic, operational, and tactical applications
- Wargaming terminology and core concepts
- Relationship between wargaming and decision support
- Analytical versus educational wargaming approaches
- Assumptions, constraints, and analytical boundaries
- Roles and responsibilities within wargaming teams
Module 2: Scenario Design and Operational Context Development
- Defining wargaming objectives and research questions
- Developing realistic operational problem statements
- Establishing scenario conditions and assumptions
- Building friendly and adversary force structures
- Representing political and operational constraints
- Developing decision points and event sequences
- Documenting scenario design and analytical rationale
Module 3: Wargame Execution and Adjudication Methods
- Structuring turns, phases, and decision cycles
- Managing participant roles and responsibilities
- Developing consistent adjudication procedures
- Evaluating actions, reactions, and consequences
- Handling uncertainty and incomplete information
- Maintaining analytical discipline during execution
- Recording decisions, outcomes, and key observations
Module 4: Data Collection and Wargaming Analysis
- Developing analytical data collection plans
- Capturing player decisions and supporting rationale
- Organizing qualitative and quantitative observations
- Identifying recurring patterns and critical events
- Distinguishing evidence from analyst interpretation
- Assessing uncertainty and analytical confidence
- Maintaining traceability between evidence and findings
Module 5: Operational Risk and Capability Assessment
- Evaluating operational risks and mission dependencies
- Identifying capability strengths and vulnerabilities
- Assessing force structure and readiness implications
- Evaluating logistics and sustainment considerations
- Examining command and control dependencies
- Analyzing operational resilience and adaptation
- Connecting wargame outcomes to capability decisions
Module 6: Cybersecurity Integration and Decision Reporting
- Integrating cyber threats into operational scenarios
- Evaluating cybersecurity impacts on mission effectiveness
- Assessing communications and information dependencies
- Examining cyber disruption and degraded operations
- Developing defensible analytical findings and conclusions
- Preparing recommendations for defense decision-makers
- Communicating limitations, assumptions, and confidence levels
Exam Domains
- Strategic Wargaming Theory and Defense Applications
- Scenario Architecture and Operational Representation
- Adjudication Governance and Decision Evaluation
- Evidence Management and Analytical Interpretation
- Mission Risk and Capability Effectiveness
- Cyber-Enabled Operations and Executive Reporting
Course Delivery
The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, interactive discussions, hands-on workshops, guided exercises, case studies, and project-based learning facilitated by experts in defense analysis, military planning, and wargaming. Participants will have access to supporting readings, analytical references, case material, and structured resources for practical exercises.
The program follows a practical training approach that includes exercises, real-world case studies, and examples of processes and documentation used in defense wargaming projects. Participants work through realistic analytical problems involving scenario design, adjudication, operational decision-making, evidence collection, risk assessment, cybersecurity considerations, and reporting to develop skills applicable to defense organizations and national security environments.
Assessment and Certification
Participants will be assessed through quizzes, assignments, analytical exercises, case-based activities, and a capstone project. Assessments evaluate understanding of wargaming principles, scenario development, adjudication, data collection, analytical reasoning, operational risk, cybersecurity considerations, and communication of findings.
Upon successful completion of the program requirements and certification examination, participants will receive the Certified Defense Wargaming Analyst (CDWA) certification.
Question Types
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Scenario-Based Questions
Passing Criteria
To pass the Certified Defense Wargaming Analyst (CDWA) Certification Program exam, candidates must achieve a score of 70% or higher.
Take the Next Step
Strengthen your ability to support defense planning, strategic analysis, operational assessment, capability development, and cybersecurity-informed decision-making with the Certified Defense Wargaming Analyst (CDWA) Certification Program by Tonex. Develop the analytical discipline and structured wargaming expertise needed to produce credible insights for complex defense and national security decisions.