NEWTOWN SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA – To meet the growing demand for project managers and to offer a credential for those who specialize in scheduling, the Project Management Institute (PMI) has developed a credential for scheduling professionals who work on project teams.  The new credential is the PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)^SMcredential.

As production, construction, service and other schedules are compressed to meet tighter delivery timetables, scheduling is critical to a company’s ability to compete successfully in today’s global markets,” said Gregory Balestrero, chief executive officer of PMI. “The Project Management Institute recognizes the importance and special qualifications needed to be a scheduling professional. The PMI-SP credential will substantiate the applicant’s knowledge, skills and experience.  This is a welcomed addition to the PMI family of professional credentials.”

Project management practitioners interested in applying for and taking the examination should visit pmi.org/scheduling for more information and to download the application.

Those eligible to take the PMI-SP examination must have a bachelor’s degree or global equivalent, three to five years of professional work experience, with 3,500 hours of experience in project scheduling, along with 30 contact hours of formal education in project scheduling. The first 100 candidates who sit for the examination between 30 May and 31 July, 2008 will receive 50 percent off the price of the examination, as well as be entered into one of four regional drawings for $1,000 (USD). To maintain the credential, scheduling professionals will need to acquire 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) per 3-year cycle in the specialty area of project scheduling.

The new credential has created interest worldwide, including more than 1000 initial inquiries from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Singapore and the United States.

About PMI

With more than 265,000 members in 170 plus countries, the Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) is the leading membership association for the project management profession and the largest association dedicated to project management in the world. As the leading advocate for the profession, PMI is actively engaged in setting professional standards, providing a professional career path for project managers and maintaining a family of professional credentials: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM^®), Project Management Professional (PMP^®) and Program Management Professional (PgMP)^®. The PMP, held by more than 267,000 project managers worldwide, is the only project management credential that is globally transferable. Additionally, PMI provides members with access to the knowledge, skills, educational support and networking opportunities needed to drive business results through project management, program management and portfolio management.  The Institute is highly regarded for its extensive research capabilities and its program to accredit colleges and universities and Registered Education Providers to teach PMI approved project management courses.  PMI was founded in 1969. Please visit PMI.org for more information.