Taking the Plunge

I promised a quick overview of a comment posted by fellow GanttHead Simon Cleveland.  He provided me with the following link

http://www.examiner.com/x-36104-Miami-Project-Management-Examiner~y2010m4d3-How-to-Earn-60-PDUs-and-more-for-FREE-towards-your-PMP-Certification

The link is for an article on where to find free PDUs.  I went through it quickly - no more than two minutes per site on those sites I had not been to before, to see if I could find the training easily.  Here is what I found:

• International Institute of Learning - offers a number of free PDU webinars.  I have not taken any yet, but when I signed up for a couple, several weeks ago, they were at 4am my time.  I cannot speak to the quality of these classes because I don't get up that early if I don't have to.  Not all of them were that early, so I may register for more.
• Solution’s Cube Group - free webinars - (http://solutionscubegroup.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=43)
• IBM’s Rational Project and Portfolio Management certification training e-kit site. I moved on because I did not find them quickly, but I am sure they are worth digging for.
• Prodevia Learning Inc’s - they offer a free introductory course on Rescuing Troubled Projects worth 5 PDUs. You have to download a PDF and then fill out an online course completion and evaluation form.  But you have to hurry if you want to do this as the class is only available until May 31, 2010.  http://www.prodevia.com/  The link to sign up for the free introductory course is on the bottom left of the page.
• Rita Mulcahy’s RMC University - numerous free webinars - http://u.rmcproject.com/forms/default.aspx

Keep in mind that I found these links through a search engine and they are only current as of the time that I post this entry.  I am not endorsing any of these products, just sharing information that you may find valuable.

I attended the chapter luncheon today.  It was pretty interesting - a construction project manager talked about his experience working for a company that contracts to the DOT.  I sat with the current VP of Community Outreach and we talked a little.  It helped to finalize my decision to run for the VP of Education and Certification, instead.

The Elections Coordinator approached me a few days ago and asked if I would be willing to run for a different office, as the incumbent was no longer running and nobody else was looking to fill the position.  I knew that the current VP of Community Outreach had decided not to run (she is going back to school, good for her!), but I found out today that she has been working with another member for about 6 months who is planning on running for her office.  I figure that since he has knowledge of what is going on and plans for outreach efforts, it would make more sense to run for a different position.  Education and Certification will be a good fit.  I wouldn't say that this blog qualifies me in any way, but I am confident I have something to offer in the position.

If I am elected (wouldn't that be awkward to lose with nobody running against me), I can see blogging about those activities, as well.

Before I forget, somebody sent me a link to an article with several links to information about free PDUs.  Once I validate them I will post them, and give credit where credit is due.

After my last post, I realized that I had not provided an update on the $5 PDUs.

The WBT courses provided good review.  There were a couple of issues with downloadable files that were referenced but I could not find anywhere in the courses, and I can't say that the courses have made me an expert in the subject matter, but they are definitely worth the time and money.  I notified the company about the issues and they said they would fix them.

Regarding time, the course presentations took relatively little time.  I think that what took the most time, and makes the courses worth PDUs, is the research you are asked to do in order to answer questions.

The courses seem to have been originally designed for a classroom setting, a format which I would not have minded as group interaction usually adds to the experience, but they still worked.

All in all, if you need a few inexpensive PDUs quickly, this is an easy way to get them.

BTW, I just went back to the website and found 2 more course offerings I may have to take advantage of - 'Managing a Virtual Team' and a 'PPM (Project Portfolio Management) Overview.'  This brings the total up to 26 PDUs at $5 each, with possibly more titles on the way.

To start, I want to include a disclaimer.  If any members of my local PMI chapter read this post, keep in mind that this is a blog about maintaing my PMP, i.e. PDUs.  Please don't consider this an official statement about why I would make a great board member - I don't think that reading this will give you that impression.

My local chapter is having Board elections, soon.  At one point I thought that being on the Board would be a great way to earn PDUs, but upon reflection I realized that PDUs are not a strong enough motivation for me to commit my time and energy to serving on the Board.  I may be chronicling my quest for PDUs, but I don't see how I could effectively serve my chapter with PDUs as my motivation. 

It's kind of like the T4 (train the trainer) class I took while in Sacramento.  It was a free 8 PDU class as long as participants committed to volunteer to teach the PMP prep class offered by the Sacramento PMI chapter.  I was glad for the PDUs (which I ended up not claiming because I moved and never taught the class), but my real motivation was to be able to teach something meaningful that would help others.  If I hadn't moved, I would have 8 more PDUs for the class, plus additional PDUs for every class I taught.  Even though I missed out on the PDUs, I'm glad I did not miss out on the T4 class.  Similarly, any PDUs from serving on the Board will just be gravy.

In reviewing the chapter bylaws, I found a few positions that interested me, but most of them had incumbents who were running again this year.  Fortunately for me, the position that interests me most is open. I've cast my lot in for the VP of Community Outreach.  Having been involved with two other professional associations' chapters that were new and struggling to grow (Toastmasters and IIBA, while in Sacramento), I've seen how effective outreach can make a difference in the success of an organization.  I tried to get involved with the local IIBA chapter shortly after moving "here", but they are having membership and outreach issues.  Not only have they not gotten off the ground in the past year since I first contacted them, they have not responded to my offers of support.

Even though we have not had elections, yet, and I hope to accomplish great things on the board, this isn't the place to discuss my strategy.  My closing thoughts for fellow PDU seekers: if you are inspired to serve, the Board of your local chapter is one way.  Volunteering to help with chapter activities is another, that I have not addressed, yet, but I will in the future.  Regardless, do it for the opportunity to make a difference, not just for the PDUs.

I was eating lunch when I realized that the year is almost 1/3 over and I still don't have an outline done for my book.

Did I mention I am writing a book?

What is it about?  Project Management, of course, but I don't want to spoil anything.  I still haven't finalized my vision for it, yet, so any details I give out would be subject to change.

I've let major projects at work get in the way of my writing and I need to get back on track.  My goal is to get published next year.  I have over 40 PDUs right now, at less than $10 a PDU, and plan to have close to 60 by the end of this year WITHOUT being published.  I don't want to depend on getting published to maintain my certification - the process may take too long.  But I do want to get published in time to exceed 60 PDUs so that I can roll them over.  I have until December 2011, so the goal is in sight and attainable!

Just a quick recap of how I have gotten to over 40 PDUs in just over a year at less than $10 a PDU:

• Free 1PDU webinars during my lunch break
• Self study
• Chapter events (these raise the average cost, but the networking is worth it); some are only 1 PDU, but there is also an annual event worth 8 PDUs
• Low cost training - it can be hard to find, but it is out there

If I can get my schedule under control, there are local teaching opportunities I hope to take advantage of, but it is getting published that I think will push me over the top.  I am working on taking the "Perish" out fo the equation, and if I don't publish in time to roll the PDUs over, I will just earn them at the beginning of the next cycle.