Keeping up with the PDUs

If you’re thinking PDUs (Professional Development Units), then congratulations and a big pat on the back for you. You’ve overcome the tough part. The PMP (Project Management Professional) test and the less than desired application process. For some, the test pales in comparison to the laundry list of items needed to complete the application: weeks, even months dedicated to digging up archaic projects, recalling their mere existence, documenting 4,500+ hours of project management experience, contacting old managers, and taking up to 35 hours of instruction. For others, they would have preferred documenting their entire childhood leading up to the PMP exam rather than completing a 175 question multiple choice exam. Whichever the case, it is ancient history and you only need to think about how you will fulfill 60 PDUs within 3 years. Hopefully, you didn’t wait to start these one month before the expiration date, but if you did, I’m sure there are a number of podcasts out there that you can entertain yourself with throughout the month.

Back to the topic at hand: those PDUs. Now that you’ve got some weight on your shoulders, here are some things to consider:

What are PDUs and why are they important?

PDUs are Professional Development Units intended for those who hold the PMP^®, PgMP^®, PMI-SP^®, or PMI-RMP^®, or PMI-ACP^SM credential(s). As a certified project management professional, you are required to adhere to the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program, which supports ongoing professional development through education and giving back to the profession.

If you’re like me, you’ve worked hard to obtain your status as a PMP, been actively involved with your career as a project manager, and attended some workshops and networking events. But without reading the PMBOK every day before you go to bed, putting the methodology to work, and diversifying your skillset, it gets a little fuzzy sometimes. Making the lifelong commitment to uphold the title requires you to complete 60 PDUs every three years. It serves as a way to refresh your memory, continually grow and learn about your profession, and give back to others within the community.

What are some benefits to obtaining your PDUs?

Stay up-to-date with the latest trends. Conflicts not getting resolved? Projects going over budget? Schedules being truncated? Scope creep getting the best out of your project? There are solutions for those types of challenges and keeping up with your PDUs gives you an opportunity to learn how to resolve them and see what others in your field are doing to maintain or exceed the status quo. Try subscribing to PMI Network, Project Management Journal, or PMI Today. Become a member of your local PMI. Join a board or volunteer. Most importantly, know what’s going on in the world of project management. You’ll be more equipped to handle difficult situations, speak to current events, mentor others within the field, and lead your organization with confidence.

Stay Connected. While it’s easy to get consumed in the daily grind, it’s important to know people within your field. Obtaining your PDUs by attending conferences, going to events, taking a class, reading a book, or listening to podcasts gives you the opportunity to get acquainted with practitioners in your field. It allows you to listen, respond and connect with others knowing they share similar interests at heart. Try extending your hand to someone at a networking event, or invite them to coffee, or even ask them to serve as a guest speaker at your company or meet-up. I bet you’ll learn a thing or two, and as an added bonus, form a new relationship of some sort.

Learn about new tools and product offerings. Each organization prides itself with unique services and product offerings. The people, processes and tools that support the organization should also be unique and tailored to the business units. While one project management tool works effectively in one organization, it might not be so well suited for another. As you continue to grow as a project manager in your current and prospective organizations, you should also be familiar with some of the products and tools that can help improve workflow. Here are some tools that might be useful: AtTask, Basecamp, Wikispaces, Jira, and ProofHQ.

What are some ways to keep up with your PDUs?

Volunteer. You can earn up to 45 PDUs just by donating some of your time. I became a pro bono project manager with Taproot Foundation and partnered with Jewish Community Center, East Bay and International House, Berkeley to create new marketing materials. You can also volunteer on boards such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) or Agile Alliance to assist with upcoming events and mentor those considering a career in project management. Volunteering is always a unique and heartwarming experience, and a great way to earn your PDUs. It’s certainly a win-win situation.

Go to an event or speaking engagement. Part of becoming an expert in the field is listening and watching others share real life experiences. When most people see the title PMP attached to someone’s name, they automatically think technical project manager or IT project manager. I’m a marketing project manager, and there are several other types of project managers out there: agile, software, construction, research, the list goes on and on. But ultimately, we all gravitate towards using some of the same methodology – project management phases and body of knowledge – in order to fulfill project requirements. We encounter the same situations of working cross-functionally across teams and departments that groom us to activate, lead, and mobilize workforces to achieve the same end goal. Thus, whether you are joining the PMI, American Marketing Association, Agile Alliance, or Business Process Management Institute (BPM), you become exposed to the broad spectrum of experience that project management has to offer.

Listen to podcasts. While people may not always have the time or option to go to conferences or speaking engagements, they can also earn PDUs by plugging in headphones in the comfort of their home, at work, or on their daily commute. There are a number of podcasts that people can subscribe to or obtain as RSS feeds to keep up with the latest project management trends. I subscribed to the OSP International LLC – The Project Management Podcast with Cornelius Fichtner and earned several free PDUs at the convenience of my own time. Topics vary and involve discussing new projects, improving technique and ways to manage processes, leading meetings and performance optimization. Overall, the podcasts cover as many topics as your ears can afford, each ranging from 10 minutes to 1 hour.

Play some online games. If you’re a gamer, not to worry, there’s a PDU for you! Just make sure you have some good aim. There are several interactive exercises, vocabulary games, flashcards, and video games focused on instruction. In essence, there’s a way to earn your PDUs and have fun! Unfortunately, I tried out a few golfing exercises and have come to terms that I am not as adept in online gaming as my neighbor.

Take a class. For those of you who are more traditional, there’s nothing like taking out a pen and pad of paper, while sitting at your desk listening to the instructor. I like to take my classes at the UC Berkeley Extension. They’ve got a wide range of classes that are affordable and can pretty much match your busy work week schedule. I’ve taking both the Project Management and Agile Management certificate programs during the evenings and weekends, and continue to rave about the quality of the instructors and materials presented in class.

There are plenty of ways to keep up with your PDUs in a timely manner without tightening your purse strings. Try some of these out and let me know if you enjoy any of these as much as I do. Also, tell me what you are doing to keep up with your PDUs. Since I’ve got another 60 PDUs to fulfill, I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to satisfy them.