Did you know that the system for earning professional development units (PDUs) is changing?
It’s true. The PDU program, officially referred to as the Continuing Certification Requirements Program, is being revised by the Project Management Institute (PMI®). The changes begin to take effect at the end of 2015 and will be fully implemented by December 2017.
So, if you have been putting it off, now is the time to plan your own professional development.
Let’s start by looking at your options.
Dedicated PDU Program
You can still earn PDUs by advancing your skills or learning new skills through educational courses (Category A: Courses offered by PMI’s R.E.P.s, chapters, communities, and G.A.C.). Global Knowledge is a Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) and actually has a dedicated PMP Renewal Program that offers more than 40 virtual short courses on a full spectrum of project management subjects. They are all under five hours — and many are as short as two hours — and are offered at a variety of times to fit into your schedule.
Webinars and White Papers
There is no easier way to earn PDUs than by participating in webinars You can be at home, in the car or on a train. Mobile devices have made webinars the “magic bullets” of PDUs. Global Knowledge offers free webinars (also under Category A) covering a wide range of essential topics that will help you develop professionally.
And if webinars aren’t right for you, then try our white papers (Category C: Self-Directed Learning). According to PMI, “activities which are individualized learning events involving personally conducted research or study” are also suitable for earning PDUs.
Be Imaginative
While you still can, take advantage of the many and varied ways that PDUs can still be earned.
For example, did you know there are PDUs just for being active in the profession (Category F: Working as a Professional in Project Management)? That’s right. You can get credit for up to 15 PDUs (out of 60 in a cycle) for working as a project or program manager.
And, as previously mentioned, you can also earn PDUs for self-directed learning (again Category C) — which means reading books, white papers or instructional manuals. They can even be earned for having formal discussions with colleagues.
Another way to earn PDUs is by writing/authoring just about anything related to the profession, including serving as a moderator of a “relevant discussion.” (Category D: New Project Management Knowledge)
PDUs can also be earned for being mentored (also under Category C) and separately for acting as the mentor (Category E: Volunteer Service).
The point is that PMI is currently very flexible in defining how PDUs are earned. But the times are changing. There will continue to be flexibility after the CCR Program changes take effect, but not as much.
So Get on with It
Minimize the uncertainty of getting PDUs by making education part of your routine. Integrate webinars into your schedule. Dedicate one Friday afternoon a month to professional development and you’ll be done in just over a year (and be better informed, too.)
Don’t wait till your options become limited. Start earning your PDUs now.