So you passed the PMP exam and have been applying all those fundamental principles on your projects. Perhaps you’ve gotten a new job, promotion or even received an increase in salary as a result of the additional knowledge. In a nutshell, you realize the PMP is of value and you would like to remain PMP certified.

Here are the requirements to maintain your PMP Certification:

- You must earn 60 PDUs every 3-year cycle.

-There are two main Categories of PDU’s

1.      Education PDUs: A minimum of 35 of the 60 PDUs must be in education.

-  Within the 35 education PDUs, there are minimum requirements based on the PMI Talent Triangle:

A.      A minimum of 8 PDUs must be in Ways of Working.

B.      A minimum of 8 PDUs must be in Power Skills.

C.     A minimum of 8 PDUs must be in Business Acumen.

-  The remaining 11 education PDUs can be in any area of the Talent Triangle.

2.      Giving Back PDUs: You can earn a maximum of 25 PDUs in the "Giving Back to the Profession" category.

This table summarizing the PDU requirements for PMP certification:

Category	Total PDUs	Ways of Working	Power Skills	Business Acumen	Remaining PDUs (any area)
Education PDUs	35	8	8	8	11
Giving Back PDUs	25	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total PDUs	60	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

 

Understanding the PDU Categories and Talent Triangle Areas

1. Education PDUs - An Education PDU is a Professional Development Unit earned through learning activities that enhance your skills as a project management professional.  These activities are designed to expand and improve your technical, leadership, and strategic business management skills.
• Education activities must align with the three areas of the PMI Talent Triangle:

• Ways of Working: Mastering various work approaches.
• Power Skills: Developing interpersonal skills like leadership and communication.
• Business Acumen: Cultivating effective decision-making skills and aligning projects with organizational strategy.

     2. Giving Back PDU - A Giving Back PDU is a Professional Development Unit (PDU) earned by engaging in activities that contribute to the project management profession. These activities allow you to share your knowledge and skills with others, while also growing professionally.

 

What qualifies?

A.      Ways of Working:

• Learn and Apply Agile Methodologies:

                      i. Attend Agile training sessions or workshops.

                      ii. Obtain certifications such as Scrum Master as found HERE

• Master Traditional Project Management Techniques:

                      i. Study and apply PMBOK® Guide principles.

                      ii. Use tools like Gantt charts, Critical Path Method (CPM), and Earned Value Management (EVM).

• Explore Hybrid Project Management Approaches:

                      i. Combine elements of Agile and traditional methodologies to suit project needs.

                      ii. Develop custom frameworks that integrate best practices from multiple approaches.

• Engage in Continuous Learning:

                     i. Participate in webinars, seminars, and conferences related to project management.

                     ii. Read books, articles, and case studies on emerging project management trends.

• Utilize Project Management Software and Tools:

                     i. Get proficient with tools like Microsoft Project, JIRA, Trello, or Asana. Like THIS COURSE

                     ii. Get certified in a scheduling tool like Microsoft Project, like found HERE

• Adopt Design Thinking:

                      i. Attend design thinking workshops.

                      ii. Apply design thinking principles to problem-solving and project planning.

• Implement Lean Practices:

                     i. Learn about Lean principles and methodologies.

                     ii. Obtain Lean Six Sigma certification. Like found HERE

• Develop Risk Management Strategies:

                     i. Identify, analyze, and mitigate risks in your projects.

                     ii. Use risk management tools and techniques to prepare for uncertainties.

• Enhance Quality Management:

                     i. Implement quality assurance and control processes.

                     ii. Use tools like Six Sigma to improve project quality. Learn Six Sigma HERE

B.      Power Skills

• Develop Collaborative Leadership:

                     i. Lead team-building activities to foster collaboration.

                     ii. Facilitate regular team meetings to ensure alignment and open communication.

• Enhance Communication Skills:

                     i. Attend workshops or courses on effective communication.

                     ii. Practice active listening and provide constructive feedback.

• Cultivate an Innovative Mindset:

                     i. Encourage brainstorming sessions to generate new ideas.

                     ii. Stay updated with the latest industry trends and innovations.

• Foster For-Purpose Orientation:

                     i. Align project goals with the organization’s mission and values.

                     ii. Engage stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations.

• Build Empathy:

                     i. Practice empathy by actively listening to team members' concerns and perspectives.

                     ii. Participate in diversity and inclusion training programs.

• Improve Conflict Resolution Skills:

                     i. Learn and apply conflict resolution techniques.

                     ii. Mediate conflicts within the team to find mutually beneficial solutions.

• Strengthen Emotional Intelligence:

                     i. Attend emotional intelligence training sessions.

                    ii. Reflect on personal emotional responses and their impact on others.

• Enhance Negotiation Skills:

                     i.  Participate in negotiation workshops or courses.

                     ii. Practice negotiation techniques in various project scenarios.

• Promote Ethical Leadership:

                     i. Adhere to ethical standards and practices in all project activities.

                     ii. Lead by example and promote integrity within the team.

• Develop Cultural Awareness:

                     i. Learn about different cultures and their impact on project management.

                     ii. Adapt communication and leadership styles to suit diverse teams.

C.     Business Acumen

• Develop Strategic Thinking:

                     i. Attend strategic planning workshops or courses.

                     ii. Participate in strategic planning sessions within your organization.

• Enhance Financial Acumen:

                     i. Take courses in financial management and accounting.

                     ii. Learn to read and interpret financial statements.

• Understand Market Dynamics:

                     i. Stay updated with industry trends and market research.

                     ii. Attend industry conferences and networking events.

• Align Projects with Business Goals:

                     i. Ensure project objectives are aligned with organizational strategy.

                     ii. Communicate the business value of projects to stakeholders.

• Improve Decision-Making Skills:

                     i. Participate in decision-making and problem-solving workshops.

                     ii. Use data analytics and business intelligence tools to inform decisions.

• Gain Industry-Specific Knowledge:

                     i. Obtain certifications relevant to your industry.

                     ii. Engage in continuous learning about industry-specific regulations and standards.

• Foster Business Relationships:

                     i. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.

                     ii. Engage in regular communication with clients and partners.

• Understand Organizational Dynamics:

                     i. Study organizational behavior and change management.

                     ii.  Participate in cross-functional teams to understand different business units.

• Develop Marketing and Sales Skills:

                     i. Take courses in marketing and sales strategies.

                     ii. Understand customer needs and market positioning.

• Enhance Operational Efficiency:

                     i. Learn about Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.  Six Sigma course HERE

                     ii. Implement process improvement initiatives.

2. Giving Back

• Volunteering for PMI or Other Professional Organizations:

                     i. Serve on a PMI chapter board or committee.  Find your local chapter HERE

                     ii. Volunteer for PMI events or initiatives.

• Creating and Sharing Knowledge:

                     i. Write articles or blog posts on project management topics.

                     ii. Develop and deliver presentations or webinars.

• Teaching and Training:

                     i. Teach project management courses at a local college or university.

                     ii. Conduct workshops or training sessions for your organization or community.

• Engaging in Community Service:

                     i. Lead or participate in community service projects that require project management skills.

                     ii. Organize fundraising events for non-profit organizations.

• Participating in PMI Chapter Activities:

                     i. Attend and contribute to PMI chapter meetings and events. Find your local chapter HERE

                     ii. Help organize chapter events, such as conferences or networking sessions.

• Contributing to Standards and Research:

                     i. Participate in PMI standards development or review committees. Seach HERE

                     ii. Conduct research on project management practices and share findings.

• Supporting Professional Development:

                     i. Mentor students or young professionals in project management.

                     ii. Provide career guidance and support to peers in the field.

Earning PDU’s the Economical Way

I know that is a lot of information and a lot of options.  Enough to make your head spin!  Here is a plan on how you could acquire these 60 PDUs in the most economical way possible.

 

Category	Activity	PDUs Possible	Cost	Notes
Education PDUs		Minimum 35		Minimum 8 in each area: Ways of Working, Power Skills, and Business Acumen
Ways of Working	Online Courses on ProjectManagement.com	10	Usually Free or Low Cost	Self-paced learning, can be done anytime, anywhere with a focus on the technical skills needed for project management.
Ways of Working	Read articles, whitepapers, or blogs on ProjectManagement.com or in PMI's Store	2	Usually Free	Self-directed reading that is relevant to the certification you hold can earn PDUs. Check out free content on PMI's website.
Ways of Working	Attend free webinars.	2	Free	Many educational webinars are available online. Check the PMI website for free webinars.
Power Skills	Online Courses on ProjectManagement.com	10	Usually Free or Low Cost	Self-paced learning, can be done anytime, anywhere. Focus on leadership, communication, and team skills.
Power Skills	Read articles, whitepapers, or blogs on ProjectManagement.com or in PMI's Store	2	Usually Free	Self-directed reading, focusing on topics that improve leadership, communication and empathy. Check out free content on PMI's website.
Power Skills	Attend free webinars.	2	Free	Many educational webinars are available online. Check the PMI website for free webinars.
Business Acumen	Online Courses on ProjectManagement.com	10	Usually Free or Low Cost	Self-paced learning, can be done anytime, anywhere. Focus on how projects align with organizational strategies and global trends.
Business Acumen	Read articles, whitepapers, or blogs on ProjectManagement.com or in PMI's Store	2	Usually Free	Self-directed reading, focusing on understanding of market, industry, and business environment. Check out free content on PMI's website.
Business Acumen	Attend free webinars.	2	Free	Many educational webinars are available online. Check the PMI website for free webinars.
Any Area	Informal Learning: structured discussions like mentoring or "lunch and learn" sessions	3	Free	Structured discussions or "lunch and learn" sessions can provide PDUs.
Giving Back PDUs		Maximum 25
Giving Back	Work as a Practitioner	8	Free	Applying your skills in your current role . Limited to 8 PDUs per cycle. You can only claim this once per certification cycle. This is a maximum amount; you cannot go over 8 PDUs.
Giving Back	Create Content (e.g., blogs, articles)	5	Free	Share your knowledge by creating content. You can contribute to ProjectManagement.com.
Giving Back	Share knowledge through mentoring or teaching	5	Free	Share your expertise to help others grow within the profession..
Giving Back	Volunteer with PMI or other non-profit organizations	7	Free	Contribute your skills to an organization. Many volunteer opportunities with PMI are available.
	Total PDUs	60

 

Summary

Remember that these are merely suggestions for earning PDU's economically.

Visit PMI’s website for more information: How to Maintain your PMI Certification | PMI

Review the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Handbook

 

Here are a few more suggestions:

- Regardless of how you plan to earn PDU’s, get started now! The longer you wait, the greater  pressure you put on yourself and the more likely you are to have to attend an expensive event to meet your PDU requirements.

- Log your PDU’s on PMI’s site as you acquire them.  Report PDU's HERE

- Keep a copy of all records in case of a PMI audit