Free Webinar & PDU (The Lean BA)

I believe if you're trying to maintain your credential, particularly the PMP, you should not pay a dime for Professional Development Units (PDUs). Seriously, paying for 60 PDU's (the amount required per 3-year cycle) could break the bank. I know people make a living by selling products and services to others who are looking for an easy path to maintaining their PMP.  Though it frustrates me that people want to get PDUs without wanting to learn, it frustrates me more that there is an ecosystem supporting it.  So, this is my small attempt to continually disrupt the current system.  Below is information on 1 free webinar worth 1 free PDU.

The Lean BA

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Tuesday, February 08, 2011

12:00 pm Eastern Time 11:00 am Central Time 10:00 am Mountain Time 9:00 am Pacific Time This is a 1 hour seminar and attendees will be awarded 1 PDU for participating.

Seminar Description: The lean business analysis web seminar starts by explaining the foundations of lean IT before getting into the impacts of how lean IT affects business analysis. The presentation discusses how some existing approaches work well and others present more challenges to lean business analysis and projects.

Seminar Presenter: ASPE-SDLC instructor Jake Calabrese

Registration is open Register for this FREE web seminar

I am in no way being compensated for listing this free webinar, unless you count the satisfaction of knowing somebody out there is going to click this link and learn something (and get a free PDU).  It's that simple.

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PMI Statistics Through December 2010

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

Process Groups Poster

Process Groups

After we published our first Scrum Posters, I was asked if we were going to create Non-Scrum Posters.  The answer is YES! Today we completed our (first) one-of-a-kind Pictofigo Project Management poster.  The Project Management Process Groups poster is now available to purchase from Cafepress. There are links below and a new link in the header of this site.  If you wish to apply this image to your own products, just go to Premium Pictofigo and purchase the high resolution file.

Are you studying for, or have recently passed, a popular project management exam? PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESS GROUPS captures five process groups and playfully details several of the activities of each. Includes Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitor & Controlling, and Closing.

Mini Poster (Size: 17" x 11") just $14.99

Small Poster (Size: 20" x 13") just $19.99

Large Poster (Size:34.5" x 23") just $24.99

Free PMI (Agile) PDUs

pdu

One of the points of contention that I've heard, when interviewing both current and former Project Management Professionals (PMPs), is the difficulty of reporting Professional Development Units (PDUs).  I know people who chose to NOT renew their PMP and their memberships with PMI becuase of the process of collecting and submitting PDU information was too arduous, outweighing the value the accreditation and membership provided. The result I've seen is people paying to get PDUs in bulk or paying for the process to be easier.  I think this is a bit of a tragedy.  So, I want help you get 1 PDU for free.  All you have to do is click the link, enter a little contact information, and you'll get a link to a free 1 hour webinar.

From September through December, VersionOne offered a series of free Agile webinars.  There are a total of 6 Agile centric webinars, all free of charge.  Because I am a strong Agile proponent, I want more Project Managers exposed to Agile concepts.  This is a perfect opportunity for those looking to learn more about Agile to also earn a few PDUs.  To make it easy on you, I've added the PDU information below.

The Role of the Project Manager in Modern Agile Projects

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/556452601

Many groups adopting an agile development approach fail in ways that can be traced back to the missing project manager role. In other words, they didn't understand what good project managers do in the first place. In this talk, Dr. Cockburn starts from ten critical project success factors, relates those to PMI project phases and to the overall value and purpose of a project manager, leading to what a good project manager provides to even the most rabidly agile team (and also other project teams, of course).

PMI PDU Category: 4 Program/Title description: The Role of the Project Manager in Modern Agile Projects Process: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Closing Knowledge area: Scope, Risk, Communications Industry: Information Systems Provider name: Dr. Alistair Cockburn / VersionOne Address: 6220 Shiloh Road, Suite 400 City: Atlanta State: Georgia Zip: 30005 Country: United States

PDUs: 1

PMI Statistics through Nov 30, 2010

The November Project Management Institute (PMI) statistics are in.  The PMI now has over 409,159 active Project Management Professionals (PMPs) and 331,697 members. So, what's new? It looks like November was the best month in 2010 for those getting their PMP.  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 January 2011 issue to PMI Today (page 5) indicates there are 8,502 new members.  In fact, there is an overall increase of just 1,696 members.  6,806 PMI Members chose not to renew their membership in November.  Unfortunately, based on the data, it appears people value the PMP credential more than the PMI membership.  Perhaps the PMI needs to adopt a free-mium model.  I think PMI should offer memberships for free or at a greatly discounted rate and then charge to maintain credentials or find other revenue streams.

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

Total Active PMPs

393,413

397,378

400,059

403,220

409,159

Total PMI Members

320,388

323,220

327,180

330,001

331,697

Source:

PMI Today

Those PMI PDUs

OK, so you got your certification or accreditation through the Project Management Institute (PMI).  Now you need to plan on getting 60 PDUs over the next 3 years.  Is this too much to ask?  I don't think so.  How would you feel if your doctor never learned anything new, upon graduating from medical school?  Stakeholders should feel that same about people managing or leading projects. Over the course of the last few years, I've witnessed quite a few people who don't actually work as project managers get their PMP.  I know, you've heard me rant about this before.  But, since these people were able to navigate the system, what can the system do?  Well, I see the PDU as a mechanism that can continually attempt to separate the wheat from the chaff.   For some who really aren't contributing to the profession, and were just looking for three initials for a resume, the added cost and effort might not be worth it.  To be fair, I also know people who are very experienced and knowledgeable in the area of project management.  Requiring them to seek out and log PDUs is just an added deterrent to getting the PMP.

Back on topic, I break down the people getting PDUs into 2 groups.  Those who earn their PDUs over the course of 3 years and those who buy theirs.   Since I watch at least 1 free project management related webinar every other week, I ask myself why anyone would ever pay for them.  But, I digress.  Upon hearing the PMI was introducing a new PDU category structure as of 1 March 2011, I figured I would take a look.  What was once 15 categories will now be 7.  Without going into grotesque detail, I'm going to give you the 50,000 foot review.  In plain English, I like it.

Not only did the PMI modernize the language to include blog, webinar, and podcast, but they also grouped the PDU categories into 2 divisions.

1. (Receiving) Education

2. Giving Back to the Profession

I particularly like the language of "giving back".  When I think of the PMI, being charitable or giving back isn't really one of the first things that comes to mind.  I see this category naming as a step in the right direction.  I noted my disappointment in the lack of giving back in October (2010), when I was comparing the AgileDC conference and the PMI North American Congress.

I only have 2 recommended changes, if PMI would consider making a modification to the PDU requirements of the future.  First, I would ask PMPs to get PDUs in all 5 process groups.  I think people tend to get PDUs in process group or knowledge areas they are already proficient.  Second, now that the PMI has identified giving back to the profession, perhaps in a few years they'll add giving back to the community?

Like the image?  Find it at Pictofigo

PMI Statistics

The October Project Management Institute (PMI) statistics are in.  The PMI now has over 403,220 active Project Management Professionals (PMPs) and 330,001 members. Source: PMI Today

When I look at the data from the last 4 years, the PMP® credential trend has remained relatively consistent.  Additionally, the PMI membership trend has also remained relatively consistent.  Unfortunately, based on the data, it appears people value the PMP credential more than they do being a PMI member.  Why is that?

Congratulations to all of those who reached their goal to obtain the credential.  (When I was at the PMI North American Congress back in October, they were quick to point out that the PMP is not a certification.  It's a credential.)  I don't know if anyone out there is really making a big deal about that.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

New PMPs (Net)

3,714

3,713

5,344

4,718

3,985

4,630

3,687

3,965

2,681

3,161

Total Active PMPs

367,619

371,014

375,959

381,111

385,096

389,726

393,413

397,378

400,059

403,220

What's in PMBOK 5?

Though I know people are hard at work, deciding what will go into the Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) 5th edition, I can't help but add my 2 cents.

We're all armchair quarterbacks at one time or another so I'm rationalizing this post.

What is one of the biggest gaps in the current edition of the PMBOK, in my opinion?  It's the complete omission of (management) models or approaches.  Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Spiral, Waterfall, and RUP should be defined in the PMBOK.  It would be really nice if the PMBOK added an entire section dedicated to this, complete with diagrams and workflows.  I think there is a problem, if you find yourself sending people to Wikipedia to find a list of the different software development processes.  I completely understand there is more to the world of project management than just software development. But, I'm trying to make a point and provide an available resource for this post.

I've had people use the PMBOK as the excuse not to use Agile, saying it wan't explicitly listed.  I pointed out that neither was Waterfall.  I wrote a post titled "Agile is in the PMBOK so it must be true" to make a point.  If PMI wants the PMBOK to be used as the de facto standard for over 400,000 PMPs, they need to take a more iterative approach in releasing editions.

If anyone at PMI is listening, I would be more than happy to help.

Like the image?  Find it at Pictofigo