The December Project Management Institute (PMI) statistics are in. The PMI now has over 412,503 active Project Management Professionals (PMPs) and 334,019 members. So, what's new? Again, the one bit of data I took note of was the PMI membership numbers. Over the last year, the data being displayed in PMI Today has changed. It used to be, you could see how many new people got their PMPs. The Fact File now shows only Total numbers of each credential. It does, however, still show New (PMI) Members.
The February 2011 issue of PMI Today (page 4) indicates there are 7,803 new members. In fact, there is an overall increase of just 2,322 members. 5,481 PMI Members chose not to renew their membership in December. Though I don't have data to support it, I believe people are signing up for PMI memberships, with the intent of getting a PMP accreditation. If they don't reach their goal, they don't renew their membership.
PMI needs to do a better job of selling people on the value of the PMI membership, not just an accreditation or certification.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
New PMPs (Net)
3,714
3,713
5,344
4,718
3,985
4,630
Total Active PMPs
367,619
371,014
375,959
381,111
385,096
389,726
Total PMI Members
314,721
315,106
317,962
317,787
317,989
318,421
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
New PMPs (Net)
3,687
3,965
2,681
3,161
5,939
3,344
Total Active PMPs
393,413
397,378
400,059
403,220
409,159
412,503
Total PMI Members
320,388
323,220
327,180
330,001
331,697
334,019
So, what do you think? Why do you think there is an ever-growing gap between PMI membership and the accreditations or certifications they offer?
Source: PMI Today