Did you know that once you’ve gained your Project Management Professional (PMP)® from the Project Management Institute (PMI)® you need to follow the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program and gain 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) over a 3-year period?
The aim of PDUs is not only to maintain your accreditation but to ensure your experience stays relevant given the changing pace of project management.
Were you aware that in late 2015, PMI® changed the way the CCR program operates? Don’t be caught short when you are nearly at the end of the 3 years – plan your PDUs accordingly.
PDU Requirements at a Glance
To maintain your PMP® accreditation, over your 3-year cycle you will need to accrue 60 PDUs (approximately 60 hours). The revised rules include:
▫ A minimum of 35 education PDUs split across the PMI Talent Triangle (see below)
▫ A maximum of 8 PDUs working as a project professional
What is the PMI® Talent Triangle?
The PMI® Talent Triangle is based on skill areas highly sought after in the marketplace by employers looking for high-calibre project management professionals. The three areas are as follows:
▫ Technical Project Management. The foundation building blocks, including: knowledge, skills and behaviour in terms of project, program and portfolio management. For example, advanced project management techniques, agile practices, requirements gathering and portfolio management techniques.
▫ Leadership. Leadership-oriented skills, including: knowledge and behaviours vital in helping an organisation achieve its business goals. For example, conflict resolution, communications, motivation, problem solving and negotiation skills.
▫ Strategic and Business Management. Knowledge and expertise in specific industries and organisations that enhance performance and drive better business outcomes. For example, business acumen, finance, marketing, business strategy alignment and benefits management.
A minimum of 8 PDUs is required in each area. The remaining 11 PDUs (to total 35 education PDUs) may come from any of the three skills areas.
Gaining your Education PDUs
When you are considering your education PDUs, ensure you have the right mix of skills to cover the three areas of technical project management, leadership and strategic and business management.
Let’s consider some of your options with some example scenarios:
Scenario 1.
The Newly Accredited:
Sara recently received her PMP® accreditation and doesn’t want to wait until the end of her 3 years CCR cycle to complete her PDUs. Applying her planning skills, she considers her current career goals and where she would like to be in the next few years. Sara is keen to explore other project management approaches, including agile practices. Sara’s PDU plan could include:
Workshop |
Total PDUs |
Technical |
Leadership |
Strategic and Business |
PRINCE2® Foundation |
21 |
21 |
|
|
PRINCE2® Practitioner |
14 |
14 |
|
|
PRINCE2® Agile |
21 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
This would give Sara her continuing education, including exposure to PRINCE2 and agile practices, totalling 56 PDUs with minimum requirements across the Talent Triangle satisfied.
Scenario 2.
PMP® Accredited For >3years:
Rod gained his PMP® accreditation a number of years ago and has extensive project management experience across a number of different industries. He is looking at extending his knowledge in terms of both program management and change management. Rod’s PDU plan could look like:
Workshop |
Total PDUs |
Technical |
Leadership |
Strategic and Business |
Change Management™ Foundation |
21 |
7 |
8 |
6 |
Change Management™ Practitioner |
14 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
MSP® Foundation |
21 |
15 |
4 |
2 |
Again, this would allow Rod to extend his skills and would gain him a total of 56 PDUs with minimum requirements across the Talent Triangle satisfied.
Your Scenario?
PM-Partners have numerous different offerings and permutations whereby you can gain the relevant PDUs to maintain your PMP® accreditation and ensure you are progressing your career in the desired direction.
For more information, call us today on 1300 70 13 14 or click here to view our training schedule.
PMI and PMP are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
PRINCE2®, PRINCE2 Agile® and MSP® are registered trade marks of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved
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