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