Education PDU

An education PDU is a professional development unit (PDU) earned in the education category. PDUs are credits toward re-certification for professional credentials such as Project Management Professional® (PMP®) at the Project Management Institute® (PMI®).

The education category is mandatory for most of PMI certifications, including PMP. The other category of PDUs is optional; it includes giving-back-to-the-profession PDUs.

Talent triangle

The education component of the CCR program is aligned with the PMI Talent Triangle to ensure you are equipped to remain relevant in a continually changing business environment. The ideal skill set is a combination of technical, leadership, and strategic and business management competency -- what the Project Management Institute calls the PMI Talent Triangle®.

According to the CCR Handbook,

Research has shown that employers need practitioners with more than just technical domain skills. Leadership and business intelligence skills are imperative to support long-range strategic objectives that contribute to their success.

Technical skill area

Technical skill area includes knowledge, skills and behaviors related to specific domains of project, program and portfolio management. The technical aspects of performing your job/role.

Leadership skill area

Leadership skill area includes knowledge, skills and behaviors specific to leadership-oriented, cross-cutting activities including guiding, motivating, and/or directing others in order to help an organization achieve its business goals.

Strategic & business management

Strategic and business management skill area includes knowledge of and expertise in the industry and/or organization that enhances performance of a led team and better delivers business outcomes.

Ways to earn education PDUs

There are many opportunities and ways to earn education PDUs. The CCR program organizes PDUs based upon the type of development activity conducted. Detailed below you will find a description of each activity, examples, and any associated policies.

PDU claim code

PDU claim codes are 10 digit alpha-numeric values (for instance, 201968JJYM) unique to each education event. The codes are issued by the event organizer such as PMI, R.E.P., PMI chapter, or GAC in order to allow you to more easily claim PDUs. The PDU claim code can also end in a '-S' if you attended an event. Examples of those PDU-claim-code events are:

• Academic education through programs accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center (GAC)
• Face-to-face, instructor-led courses from PMI SeminarsWorld®
• Training courses offered by a PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.)
• Lunch-and-learn activity held by a PMI chapter

If you do not have a PDU Claim Code you can still claim PDUs by selecting one of the education categories below and entering the provider and activity information.

Course or training

Participating in educational training courses and/or sessions is a traditional and effective way to learn. There are many outlets for these activities offered by third-party providers across the globe. Any course or training provided by a party that cannot provide you with a PDU claim code can still be claimed as soon as this course or training is related to your development as a project management expert. Types of those educational activities include (but are not limited to):

• Instructor-led (synchronous) e-learning courses or training sessions
• E-learning on demand asynchronous courses or training sessions
• In-person classes provided as a part of formal education and/or offered by general training organizations

Documentation required for audit is (a) a registration form and (b) certificate or letter of attendance. PDU rules are:

• 1 hour of instruction equals 1 PDU
• When only a portion of a course relates to topics relevant to the PMI Talent Triangle skill areas, calculate PDUs by the percentage of the overall curriculum focused on the applicable topic
• Report each course separately. Entire degree programs will not be recognized for PDU credits, only individual courses

Organization meetings

Professional meetings, activities and local events that are related to the profession and include an educational component provide an opportunity to learn and also to network. PMI chapters and third parties host these activities throughout the year on a local basis. Your organization may conduct professional events as well. Activities include (but are not limited to):

• Educational sessions at industry conferences
• PMI chapter or local events
• Meetings focused on areas of the PMI Talent Triangle.

Everyone is encouraged to search the PMI events calendar and/or check for chapter events near you. Documentation required for audit is (a) a registration form and (b) letter of attendance or other form of documentation confirming participation in event. These activities are limited to 1-2 PDUs.

Online or digital media

Technology allows you to customize learning and educational opportunities to your schedule and needs. Many educational live webinars, as well as self-paced learning activities such as pre-recorded webinars, podcasts, digital recordings, videos, and other types of digital content are available online and on demand. One may also look into the opportunities that are available through these resources:

• ProjectManagement.com
• PMI Online Courses
• PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)

Documentation required for audit is evidence supporting your reported learning, including notes from and dates of activities conducted. PDU rules:

• 1 hour of learning equals 1 PDU
• Qualifying activities must be relevant to PMI Talent Triangle skill area topics, meet a specified purpose, and use knowledgeable resources
• If one uses projectmanagement.com and his or her account is linked to the PMI.org account containing the certification/credential, PDUs will be reported automatically.

Read

Reading is a valuable component of learning, and there are countless reading materials pertinent to the profession. Qualifying self-directed reading materials include (but are not limited to) informational, non-fiction books, articles, white papers, or blogs to stay informed and support your ongoing professional development. One may also check out some of the available content at:

• PMI's Store
• ProjectManagement.com

Documentation required for audit is evidence supporting your reported learning, including notes from and dates of reading. PDU rule is 1 hour of learning equals 1 PDU.

Informal learning

Sometimes learning comes through interaction with others. You can earn PDUs by engaging in structured professional discussions with other professionals or mentors. Activities include (but are not limited to) mentoring sessions (while you're being mentored), panel discussions, "lunch and learn" sessions with your organization, etc.

Documentation required for audit is evidence supporting your reported learning,including notes from and dates of activities conducted. PDU rule is 1 hour of learning equals 1 PDU.