"When you maintain your certification through PDUs, you demonstrate your commitment to professional development and strengthen your position in the field of project management."
Step 1: What Are PDUs & Why Do They Matter?
PDUs, or Professional Development Units, are PMI’s way of tracking your ongoing learning & contribution to the profession.
You need 60 PDUs every three years to maintain your PMP® certification.
There are two main categories of PDUs:
🔶Education PDUs (35 minimum) – Webinars, training courses, self-learning 🔶Giving Back PDUs (25 maximum) – Mentoring, creating content, volunteering
Pro Tip: Not all PDUs are created equal—some will help grow your career while others just keep you compliant.
Step 2: The 3 Fastest Ways to Earn PDUs ⏳
The good news? Earning PDUs doesn’t have to be hard.
Here are three quick & easy ways to earn them without wasting time:
1.PMI Webinars & Events (Easy & Free)
Watch 1-hour PMI webinars and earn 1 PDU per session.
Attend local PMI events for networking & learning.
2. Mentoring & Volunteering
Help a junior project manager prepare for their PMP® exam.
Write a project management article or blog post.
3. Take a Self-Paced Course (Fastest Option)
Enroll in a PMI-approved course like PURE Project Manager® to earn all 60 PDUs at once.
Step 3: How to Track & Manage Your PDUs Like a Pro
If you wait until the last minute, you’ll be scrambling to remember where you earned PDUs.
Here’s a simple tracking system to stay on top of it:
📌 Step 1: Log PDUs as soon as you earn them. 📌 Step 2: Use my free PDU tracking template for extra backup. 📌 Step 3: Align your PDUs with your career goals—not just compliance.
BONUS: I created a free PDU tracker so you never lose track. Download it here!Download Free Tracker
Final Thoughts: Stay Proactive, Not Reactive!
You don’t have to scramble for PDUs—if you start early and use the right strategy, it’s easy.
✔ Attend 1 webinar per month = 36 PDUs ✔ Mentor or volunteer to earn giving back PDUs ✔ Take an online course like PURE Project Manager to knock out all 60 PDUs fast
Need a personalized strategy? Let’s chat!
Reply to this email with your questions.
Stay ahead, keep learning, and I’ll see you in the next issue of The Risk Blog!
Stay Motivated & Dedicated, Russ Parker
Upcoming Article's:
Feb 17: Project Management Communication Lessons Learned
Feb 24: What is Scope Creep in Agile and How to Prevent It
Upcoming Book Reviews:
Feb: Senior Managers and Project Managers Guide to Critical Chain
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