Write an Article, Get Published and Earn PDUs!

Published: Fri, 12/30/11

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Ask Cornelius

Question: Can I earn PDUs for Writing Project Management Articles?

Answer:Yes you can.

Ever since PMI published the new PDU Category and Structure in March of 2011, earning PDUs has become much easier. This ease is especially visible in Category D "Creating New Project Management Knowledge": Every hour that you spend creating and / or presenting new project management knowledge counts as 1 PDU.

This means that if you decide to write a project management related article and you invest 3 hours in writing it then you have just earned 3 PDUs. (Please note that there is a maximum of 45 PDUs that you can earn in Categories D, E and F, so these 3 hours would count against that maximum).

So you think you have nothing to write about? Think again! Let me give you 3 simple ideas:

*Write a white paper about your last project. Describe what and how you managed it, focusing on project management best practices

*There isn't one project meeting that I have attended where I don't learn something new about being a PM. Think back to your last 3 meetings and describe what you have learned.

*Discuss a particularly difficult area on your project with one of your colleagues at work and then write an article about what the problem is and how you decided to do to solve it. And of course in 3 weeks down the road you can write an article about how well / badly it worked.

But beware... there are some topics that don't count toward PDUs:

*Product Reviews: An article that talks about the latest and greatest features of a PM software won't earn you PDUs

*Articles on how to prepare for the PMP exam (or similar).

*Articles on PDUs: The article you read right now doesn't give me a single PDU because I'm just telling you about how to earn PDUs.

The three topics above don't count, because any article written about them isn't creating new knowledge - it just describes a "product". So be safe and write about what you learned in your daily work as a PM managing your projects.

In my view, every project manager has something to say and share with others. So pick up that pen... err I mean keyboard and start writing.

Until next time,

Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
President, OSP International LLC
The Project Management PrepCast^(TM) - http://www.project-management-prepcast.com

Please send your questions to askcornelius@pduinsider.com

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Featured PDU Activity

Provider: TenStep

What: Use a Strategic Execution Office (SXO) to Align Project and Program Processes

When: January 23, 2012

Where: Internet webinar

PDU: 1 PDU

Cost: FREE

Description:

The Strategy Execution Office (SXO) is an office that supports and integrates strategic performance management, portfolio management, program/project management, and operational process improvement across the organization for the senior management teams. It can (and should) be cascaded to lower level units as required. This office integrates a number of management tools and competencies to ensure synergy and communication are optimized.

This webinar will provide an overview of the SXO. We will also demonstrate an SXO software tool - cordin8 collaborative. This product supports key sets of functionality for the SXO as well as helps to integrate them into one seamless strategic execution tool that can address both performance management and help realize strategic plans.

Featured PMI Component Activity

PMI Component: PMI Global Operations Center

What: eSeminarsWorld Project Management Fundamentals: An Intensive Program

When: 01/05/2012 - 02/09/2012

PDUs: 35

Where: e-Learning

Cost:

PMI Member Early Rate: Not Applicable (US)
PMI Member Regular Rate: $2,375 (US)
Non-Member Rate: $2,495 (US)

Description:

This intensive program provides participants with practical experience applying the fundamentals of project management. At the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to create a project life cycle, a statement of work, a work breakdown structure, a schedule, a budget and a risk management plan. Students work together in groups over a five-week period to develop a project plan for a real project. Students are encouraged to bring current projects to the class.

Price Increase Announcement

Do you know anyone who is currently preparing for the PMP Exam? We would like to announce the price increase on The PM PrepCast.

The price for The PM PrepCast will be increased to $129.99 on January 1st 2012. Order your copy today and get it at the current price of $99.97.

Please feel free to contact if you have any question and Please visit the webpage for more information about the Price Increase at http://www.project-management-prepcast.com/.

Recommended PDU Product

Executive Level PPM Workshop and Strategy Seminar
Conquering the Top 10 Risks that Threaten Success

If you're in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates or Qatar, start the year right by joining the Executive Level PPM Workshop and Strategy Seminar (Disclosure: Compensated Affiliate) this January 2012. Led by foremost PMO subject-matter expert Mark Price Perry, this session is geared towards providing highly interactive, hands-on learning and collaboration amongst attendees and Mr. Perry.

The Strategy Seminar sessions are conducted by local noted project management and strategy leaders Mr. Bassam AlKharashi, the CEO of ES Consulting and an associate of Leonardo Consulting in the Arab States, and Mr. Bassam Samman, PMP, PSP, EVP, a senior project management consultant and the co-founder of the Project Management Institute - Arabian Gulf Chapter.

The Executive Level PPM Workshop and Strategy Seminar is an interactive program that presents real-world case studies, sound advice and techniques for setting up a business driven Project Portfolio Management (PPM) organization and examines the obstacles that you might encounter along the way. It is designed to help you identify and conquer the following top 10 risks that can threaten your PPM success:

* PPM Risk #1: Shared Vision, Mission, Goals, and Objectives

* PPM Risk #2: Executive Level Support

* PPM Risk #3: Functional Champion

* PPM Risk #4: Big Bang vs. Incremental Adoption

* PPM Risk #5: The Effects of Changing Processes and Measures

* PPM Risk #6: Timeframe for Analysis and Decision Making

* PPM Risk #7: Quantifying Business Value

* PPM Risk #8: Ensuring Data Integrity

* PPM Risk #9: Tooling and Architecture

* PPM Risk #10: Sustaining Value

There's more! As participant, you will also receive a FREE copy of Mark Perry's book: Business Driven Project Portfolio Management. This is the book that highlights the concepts and practices discussed in this seminar.

For attending this highly interactive workshop by leaders in PPM field, you will earn 6 PDUs.

So join this fast paced workshop and the year 2012 may be a lot more successful for you! For more information on how to reserve your seats, click here!

For those in Singapore and Australia, prepare to meet Mr. Perry and your local project management leaders in February 2012.

Full Disclosure: Executive Level PPM Workshop and Strategy Seminar is an affiliate product. If you click and enroll in this course, we will earn a commission.

Claiming PDUs by working as a Project Manager

Do you currently work as a project manager for your full-time job? If so, you can claim professional development units (PDUs) toward credential maintenance. If you work 1500 hours per year as a project manager, you can claim up to 15 PDUs. Yes, you get PDUs just for being a PM.

This is where people get many of their PDUs, and it's here you get your head start. Category F allows you to enter PDUs for your work as a project professional. Gradually, the hard work started paying off!

One thing you need to know for sure is that you can't simply earn all the PDUs you need by working every day as a project manager. You need to do more than that.

Read the complete PDU Tip here

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