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 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:

• 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: Registration form, 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

Chapter, company, or professional meetings limited to 2 PDUs. 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.

These activities are limited to 1-2 PDUs.

Organization Meetings

Meetings, activities and local events related to the profession

Professional meetings that 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.

• Search the PMI events calendar
• Check for chapter events near you

PDU Rules:

• Typically limited to 1–2 PDUs

Documentation required for audit: Registration form, letter of attendance of other form of documentation confirming participation in event

Online or Digital Media

Pre-recorded Webinars, Podcasts, digital recordings. Activities include self-paced learning activities that were conducted online or offered through different forms of digital media like webinars, podcasts, interactive CD-ROM, and videos.

Online or Digital Media Self-paced learning conducted online or through varied forms of digital mediaTechnology allows you to customize learning and educational opportunities to your schedule and needs. Many educational webinars, videos and other types of digital content are available online and on demand. Look into the opportunities that are available through these resources.ProjectManagement.comPMI Online CoursesPMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)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 resourcesDocumentation required for audit: Evidence supporting your reported learning, including notes from and dates of activities conducted.Note: PDUs will be reported automatically if the projectmanagement.com account is linked to the PMI.org account containing the certification/credential.

Read

Books, articles, blogs. Qualifying reading materials include (but are not limited to) informational, non-fiction books, articles, white papers, or blogs.

ReadSelf-directed reading that is relevant to the certification you holdReading is a valuable component of learning, and there are countless reading materials pertinent to the profession. You can read books, articles, whitepapers, or blogs to stay informed and support your ongoing professional development. Check out some of the available content.PMI’s StoreProjectManagement.comPDU Rules:1 hour of learning equals 1 PDUDocumentation required for audit: Evidence supporting your reported learning, including notes from and dates of reading.

Informal Learning

Structured discussions with other professionals or mentors. Activities include (but are not limited to) mentoring sessions, panel discussions, lunch and learn sessions, or other structured discussions.

Informal LearningEducational opportunities focused on structured discussionsSometimes learning comes through interaction with others. You can earn PDUs by engaging in structured professional discussions with others, for example while you’re being mentored or participating in a “lunch and learn” session with your organization.PDU Rules:1 hour of learning equals 1 PDUDocumentation required for audit: Evidence supporting your reported learning,including notes from and dates of activities conducted.