Are you a Project Management Professional PMP® wondering what many aspiring and new project managers ask about?
What Are PDUs?
Whether you’re new to project management or a seasoned project manager, understanding Professional Development Units (PDUs) is crucial for maintaining your certification.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything about PDUs – from what they are to how to earn them efficiently.
My goal — Getting you ready to tackle your certification renewal with confidence.
What are PDUs? Understanding Professional Development Units for Project Management
A PDU (Professional Development Unit) is the official measuring unit used by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to track ongoing professional development. One PDU equals one hour spent learning or teaching project management-related content.
PDUs are essential for:
Maintaining your Project Management Professional PMP® and other PMI-RMP® certifications
Documenting your ongoing development in project management
Demonstrating your commitment to professional growth
Expanding your project management services expertise
PDU’s are not just a PMI-RMP® certification requirement – other organizations and certifications require them. Like my Certified ScrumMaster with ScrumAlliance, this requires 20 “Scrum” Educational Unit (SEU) – which are PDU’s by a different name.
Want to track your PDUs efficiently? Download my free PDU tracking template today!
Professional Development Unit Requirements for Project Management Professional (PMP®)
Project Management Institute (PMI) requires PMP® credential holders to earn 60 PDUs every three years.
This can seem daunting, but if you put some effort and planning into it – you can accomplish this goal simply by attending PMI local events and watching one, one-hour webinar by PMI-RMP® a month.
Or the easiest way is to take additional courses that align to PMI-RMP® PDU standards. Me recommended way for this is through the PURE Project Manager credential that I’ll discuss below.
The best part about PDU’s is that this ongoing education requirement ensures that project managers stay current with:
Latest project management methodologies
Industry best practices
Professional development activities
Technical project management skills
When you maintain your certification through PDUs, you demonstrate your commitment to professional development and strengthen your position in the field of project management.
And you can learn some great skills while gaining new resources for your professional development!
How to Earn Professional Development Units in Project Management
There are multiple ways to earn PDUs through project management services and activities:
Education PDU's
Online courses through authorized training partners
In-person training sessions
Self-directed learning activities (reading the PMBOK)
Industry events and conferences
Project management webinars
Attending events hosted by your local PMI Chapters
Giving Back to Project Management Professional Community
Providing project management services
Creating project management content
Mentoring other project managers
Speaking at industry events
Volunteering with PMI chapters
Giving back to the profession
PURE Project Manager Certification Program
Looking to earn all your required PDUs efficiently?
The PURE Project Manager credential program offers comprehensive professional development units while enhancing your project management skills.
And I had the honor to work with 24 other amazing instructors to build out this course. Joseph Phillips with Instructing.com lead this effort – and I’m proud to have been able to provide detailed information on how Military Planning and Leadership can relate directly to the Project Management Community!
A self directed learning credential – this course meets your Project Management Institute ongoing education while allowing you to maintain your PMP certification. With the ability to work at your own pace, you can earn easily complete the entire credentialing course within your certification cycle.
Professional Development Unit Categories in Project Management
The PMI Talent Triangle® organizes PDUs into three essential areas:
Leadership (Minimum 8 PDUs)
Team management
Communication
Conflict resolution
Technical Project Management (Minimum 8 PDUs)
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Project management methodologies
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Tools and techniques
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Best practices
Business Management (Minimum 8 PDUs)
Strategic planning
Business acumen
Industry knowledge
The remaining 36 PDUs can be earned in any category, allowing you to focus on areas most relevant to your project management services and career goals.
Tracking Professional Development Units for Project Management Professional (PMP®)
Maintaining accurate PDU records is crucial. Although PMI.org keeps track of your PDU’s on your dashboard, but let’s not forget the quote by H. James Harrington
“Measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement. If you can’t measure something, you can’t understand it. If you can’t understand it, you can’t control it. If you can’t control it, you can’t improve it.”
As PM’s, we all know the importance of monitoring and controlling – and this applies to our PDU’s. And we do it to ensure:
Proactive Monitoring – Stay proactive in our approach vs. reactive to PMI-RMP® dashboard
Customization – PMI-RMP® dashboard focuses on compliance, you want to focus on your development
Backup and Review – Mistakes and omissions can happen, having a backup is critical
Improvement Focus – By tracking PDU’s, you can measure your own improvement in meetings your professional goals!
Here’s my recommended system for tracking professional development units:
Document each learning activity immediately
Categorize PDUs according to the Talent Triangle
Keep supporting materials for each PDU
Monitor your progress toward the 60 PDU requirement
Plan future professional development activities
This is how we stay Proactive Over Reactive in our PDU Development as Project Managers!
Free PDU Tracking Template for Project Management Professionals
To help you manage your ongoing development in project management, I’ve created a comprehensive PDU tracking template that includes:
Automated PDU calculations
Category tracking aligned with PMI requirements
Renewal deadline reminders
Documentation guidelines for professional development activities
Maintaining Your Project Management Professional Certification
Remember these key points about PDUs:
Earn 60 PDUs every three years
Focus on all areas of the PMI Talent Triangle
Track your professional development units regularly
Keep documentation of all project management activities
Plan your ongoing development strategically
Ready to earn all 60 PDUs needed for your PMP® renewal? Explore the PURE Project Manager certification program – setting new standards for professional development in project management services.
The Risk Blog is a component of Forty-Four Risk PM, LLC.
