After years of thinking about it, I decided to pursue the PMP credential from the Project Management Institute (PMI) earlier this year. I had been doing project management work for a number of years and I was very familiar with PMBOK, having helped develop a PMBOK-based project management curriculum for a nationally known university’s corporate certificate program. When I considered pursuing the PMP in the past, I usually weighed what I perceived the advantages to be – recognition of professional accomplishment and a leg up when looking for a project management job – against the time and cost commitment to something that I did not think would inherently make me a better project manager. But I missed a key component of the equation.
I now believe the key value of the PMP is the commitment one makes to continuing education and interaction with other practitioners. PMP credential holders are required to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years in order to maintain the PMP credential. PDUs can be earned in a number of ways including attending chapter meetings and roundtables, making presentations, taking courses, writing articles or volunteering for relevant organizations. This requirement has led me to get more involved with project management groups and activities and the exchange of ideas and experiences with other practitioners has been very valuable. And it probably will make me a better project manager.
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