Paul KopplinLandside Operations Duty Manager| MWAAWashington, Dc, United States
I'm starting the process for a PMP certification and I've run into a few stumbling blocks that PMI.org chat agents couldn't or wouldn't answer.
1. Page 8 of the PMP Certification Handbook (13 April 2020 ed.) states that experience "does not necessarily have to be paid work, but it does need to be in a professional setting". What exactly does this mean? If I have done freelance work on speculation does that qualify? Does it qualify if the work wasn't picked up by any customers? If it does qualify who do I list in the actual application for the various leadership / verification roles? If audited, how do I verify the project work?
2. Also on page 8 of the PMP Handbook it states that "planning personal events would not qualify". What exactly does this mean? Does it include buying/selling a house and moving to another state or country? If not, would that answer change if the move was directed by an employer? If not, would that answer change if I considered the house my home office, while doing freelance work, and treated it as a business relocation? If I get to 'that's valid, it's not a personal event' the same questions about the actual application and possible audit apply.
The PMI.org chat agents told me basically just put in the hours of work on the application and take the chance you won't get audited. I think I would rather know up front what would be permissible. Any thoughts? Saving Changes...
Volunteer work is fine, but you shouldn't go with projects where you were the sole contributor such as relocating yourself. If you were organizing a fundraising campaign for a charity that would be perfectly fine.
There is no clear cut definition for what is okay and what is not - if your application is audited, a volunteer PMP holder will be reviewing your application and may or may not choose to challenge your submissions.
