What's the least time consuming way to obtain PDUs?
From the Certification Insider Blog
by Cornelius Fichtner
Cornelius Fichtner help you with your PMP Exam Prep (https://www.project-management-prepcast.com) as well as earn free PDUs (www.pm-podcast.com/pdu). Passing the PMP Exam is tough, but keeping your PMP Certification alive is just as challenging. Preparing for the exam requires an in-depth study of the PMBOK Guide and dedicated study discipline. And once you are PMP certified, then you are required to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every 3 years to keep your certification alive. Let me help you make this journey easier with tips and tricks on how to prepare for and pass the exam as well as efficiently earning your PDUs once you are certified.
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A reader of The PDU Insider Newsletter asked "What's the least time consuming way to obtain PDUs?".
To me, this question translates to "I hate having to earn PDUs. I only do it because PMI is making me do it and I want to get it over with as quickly as possible." I understand that many people may feel this way probably because they cannot see earning PDUs as something rewarding, enjoyable, and as something that helps them grow as a project manager. But let's face it. The fact of the matter is that you are required to earn them, and if we can make it more fun for you then you might enjoy it more.
So let's make it more fun for you.
The definite least time consuming way to earn PDUs are from those 3 PDU categories in which you get them "just because": In category 2H you earn 5 PDUs every year just because you are employed as a project manager (we talked about that in an earlier issue). In category 2-SDL you earn up to 15 PDUs in 3 years just because you like to read books or listen to podcasts about project management. And in category 5 you earn PDUs just because you like to be a volunteer in your local project management organization. Yes, there is a time investment, but most of us are involved in these 3 activities anyway and earning the appropriate PDUs is like the cherry on top.
Then there are some categories where you never know how much time you are going to have to invest into it. For instance you'll get 40 PDUs for writing a book, but it takes hundreds of hours to do. Or you get 10 PDUs for giving a presentation at a symposium but you might easily spend 20 hours preparing and travelling.
If you are looking for a clear 1-to-1 benefit, then taking courses in project management is the clear winner. That is because every 1 hour that you spend for instance in a classroom or watching an online webinar will give you exactly 1 PDU (Check out our sponsor for this).
In the end, it all boils down to this: The trick is to know and understand all the categories from your credential handbook and then pick those that offer what you consider to be the best return and the most fun for you.
Posted on: September 02, 2010 11:11 AM |
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Comments (1)
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Karthik Ramamurthy
Author, Say YES to Project Success| Founder KeyResultz
Chennai, Tamilnadu, Tamilnadu, India
Great points, Cornelius!
PDUs are indeed something certificants need to be proactive about rather than rush to acquire them at the last minute.
Since this blog post around eight years ago, PMI has introduced the "Talent Triangle" of three broad areas under which certification holders need to acquire PDUs:
1. Technical skills
2. Business and Strategic skills
3. Leadership skills
PMI's latest Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) guide can be found at:
https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/certifications/ccr-certification-requirements-handbook.pdf
However, from long experience as PMP holder and PMI volunteer leader, I'd like to convey that a mere PDU's for PDU's sake approach will be enough for career success.
I've got great results from the win-win approach of gaining PDUs through Chapter Professional Development Day events, Conferences, Webinars, and Volunteering!
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Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes.
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