Don't Spend on PDUs for PMP? Renewal!

Don't want to buy those PDUs? Why Not Explore the Available Options around you!

Globally, there are more than 700,000 PMP? Certificate holders and over the last couple of years due to WFH (COVID-19), there has been a phenomenal increase in the number of aspirants taking up and clearing the PMP? Certification and now comes the time to Renew their Certification(s). PMI uses a Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program to keep a track of the renewal process and helps individuals earn professional development units (PDUs). The goal is to ensure that your certified competencies stay relevant and up-to-date.

Based on my personal experience, here is a checklist for making your certification renewal easy.

First things first, PMI has made the Reporting of PDUs quite easy and simple for respective participants by logging into their PMI Account.

PMI has divided the PDU Reporting in two Categories:

1.???Education

2.???Giving Back to the Profession

Let us see in detail how can we EARN and REPORT our PDUs:

I. Education

·??Course or Training: These are instructor-led formal education courses or classes held in person or online. You can claim PDUs for any attended training provided by PMI, Authorized Training Partner (ATP) and even Third Party Training providers.1 Hour of instruction equals 1 PDU and is to be distributed amongst the PMI Talent Triangle Skill Areas.(Shown Below)

·??????Organization Meetings: Professional Meetings, activities, particpation in local events and networking in PMI Chapters/Third Party Events/Organizational Events can be used to earn PDUs. The reporting in this case is generally limited to 1-2 PDUs.

·??????Online or Digital Media: Varied forms of Digital and online Media utilized for self-paced learning can be used to earn PDUs. This can include Webinars, Videos , e-Books, Audible etc. This is to be completed through PMI Online Courses and ATP. (1 Hour = 1 PDU)

·??????Read: This includes self-directed reading relevant for the certification one holds. The content has to be accessed from PMI Store/ ProjectManagement.com. (1 Hour = 1 PDU). PDUs will be reported automatically if projectmanagement.com account is linked to PMI.org

·??????Informal Learning: Informal Learning can take place anywhere, even by “interacting with others” , be one’s colleagues or subordinates . (1 Hour = 1 PDU) Make sure evidence in terms of Notes/Recordings are kept along with dates.

II. Giving Back to the Profession

·??????Work as a Practitioner: Working and applying the domain knowledge in your day-to-day professional role can be quite helpful in earning PDUs. The maximum number of 8 PDUs can be claimed per cycle and can be claimed once per certification cycle.

·??????Create Content: Authoring articles/books/blogs/webinars/presentations for Knowledge Shelf and sharing insights with others can help to gain PDUs(1 Hour = 1 PDU).Content creation on ProjectManagement.com will also be counted for the purpose of PDUs. PS: Your LinkedIN articles will also be counted if they are directed towards PMI specified Knowledge Areas.

·??????Give a Presentation: PDUs can be earned by giving a formal presentation to others and sharing knowledge by speaking at PMI event, professional conference or within one’s organization. (1 Hour = 1 PDU). Make sure the copy of the PPT is available as it can be asked as evidence by PMI.

·??????Share Knowledge: One can share their skills with others to enhance the practices at the current role and grow the professional network . PDUs can be earned by mentoring, teaching or by being a SME towards an activity. (1 Hour = 1 PDU)

·??????Volunteer(Un-Paid): PDUs can be earned by providing domain-related volunteer services to not-for-profit organizations in physical or online platforms. PMI Members can also access the same through the PMI VRMS system. (1 Hour = 1 PDU)

???Points for Consideration:

• ?The start dates of earning PDUs is the date of receipt of the PMP? Certification.
• ?If more than the required PDUs are earned during a CCR cycle, only a portion of the same can be carried forward to the next cycle and further PDUs earned only in the final year of the certification cycle are eligible to be applied for future cycle. E.g. For PMP?, maximum of 20 PDUs can be carry forwarded to the next cycle.
• ?A percentage of certification holders are randomly selected for PMI’s audit process every year. If someone is selected, they would be asked to submit the proof/evidence to verify the PDU submitted. It is absolutely important to provide the data, true & best of your knowledge. It is advisable to keep documentation for all PDU claims for at least 18 months after the CCR cycle has ended.
• ?This Article/information is not only for PMP? holders but can also be applied for the other PMI Certifications as well.

Hope this article helps all the Certificate Holders in their renewal process. In case there are any queries, please feel free to DM. I will be happy to help. #PMP #PMInstitute Project Management Institute

References: https://ccrs.pmi.org/info/earnpdus www.PMI.org