Every year, there are hundreds of opportunities to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) as a part of the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. PMI uses PDUs to quantify approved learning and professional service activities for certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) and Program Management Professional (PgMP®) credential holders. And while taking courses and attending seminars are ideal ways to stay up-to-date with project management best practices, remember that many activities occurring in your daily professional life may count toward PDUs, too. Here are 10 ways to earn PDUs this year:
1. Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) Courses: There are more than 900 PMI R.E.P.s worldwide, and the courses offered by them are pre-approved for PDUs that fulfill CCRs. Find an R.E.P. near you.
2. PMI Global Congresses: Now is a great time to plan ahead and register for the PMI Global Congress 2008—Asia Pacific, held March 3–5 in Sydney, Australia. Congresses offer opportunities to network with colleagues and attend seminars that go toward receiving PDUs. Find information on all of next year’s congress.
3. PMI Component Courses: PMI Components—chapters, specific interest group (SIGs) or colleges—can be found in all corners of the globe. PMI members are welcome to join these communities and take advantage of the events, meetings and educational programs they hold. And, all educational activities offered by PMI Components are pre-approved for PDUs. Search for chapters in your region: Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Latin America and North America. Or view the full list of PMI SIGs and colleges.
4. SeminarsWorld®: Held throughout the year, SeminarsWorld events provide educational activities for beginning, mid-level and experienced project professionals—PMI members and nonmembers alike. Seminar topics tend to cover one of five areas: core competencies, specific application areas, people and leadership skills, tools and techniques, and strategic applications. Register for the March SeminarsWorld, to be held 17–20 March in Miami, Florida, USA. See lates SeminarsWorld information.
5. eSeminarsWorldSM: The life of a project manager has never been more hectic. And while face-to-face training has its obvious merits, online courses are some of the most convenient ways to earn PDUs. Each eSeminarsWorld web-based course includes discussion questions, individual and group assignments with classmates from all over the world, and timely feedback from qualified instructors. Find the right courses to suit your schedule.
6. Web-based Self-Study: All you need to complete the Project Management Methods & Mechanics course is an Internet connection and about 14 hours. Focused on A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)—Third Edition, this course is a perfect way to receive 14 PDUs on your own time. Once registered, you will have 24-hour access to this online, 10-module course for one full year. More information and online registration.
7. Professional Activities: Authoring an article about project management or speaking at a project management event can quickly earn you 10 to 30 PDUs. PMI has specified a number of professional activities—things you may already be doing—that can translate to varying amounts of PDUs. Download the CCR Program Handbook to find other examples of these professional activities.
8. Self-Directed Learning: Obtain PDUs by sharing project management knowledge with your colleagues. PMI will recognize activities that involve personally conducted research or study. This includes discussions or coaching sessions with colleagues or clients that put to use informational materials such as CD-ROMs, articles, books, videos or instructional manuals. It’s important to note that an individual can receive a maximum of 15 PDUs for self-directed learning activities during each CCR cycle.
9. Volunteer Service: Earn up to 20 PDUs per CCR cycle for providing your professional services to an organization outside of your employer. You could serve as an elected officer or volunteer committee member for a project management organization. Or you could provide a project/program management-related service to a community or charitable group. Fill out the online PMI Volunteer Application to indicate a particular opportunity of interest.
10. Educational Programs by Outside Providers: If all else fails, PMI will recognize relevant educational activities or programs offered by organizations not registered with PMI. Use the following formula to calculate the number of PDUs earned: One (1) contact hour of learning relevant to project management within a structured activity or course equals one (1) PDU.