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RE: [External] Re: What's the benefit in getting a PMP certification in project management?
Subject:RE: [External] Re: What's the benefit in getting a PMP certification in project management? From:"O Neill, Jennifer BIS" <Jennifer -dot- ONeill -at- fs -dot- utc -dot- com> To:Debra Kahn <kahndebra -at- gmail -dot- com> Date:Fri, 29 May 2015 14:02:54 +0000
Thanks to everyone for all your helpful advice. Now to get my case ready to present to my boss!
Cheers,
jen
From: Debra Kahn [mailto:kahndebra -at- gmail -dot- com]
Sent: 26 May, 2015 21:03
To: O Neill, Jennifer BIS
Cc: Tony Chung; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: [External] Re: What's the benefit in getting a PMP certification in project management?
Forgot to add that you can also attain PDUs by volunteering with your local PMI chapter (as an officer or presenter, for example). Plus if you volunteer for some PMI events, you get into the event free (like the monthly chapter meeting) or at a greatly reduced cost.
DK
On Tue, May 26, 2015 at 12:56 PM, Debra Kahn <kahndebra -at- gmail -dot- com<mailto:kahndebra -at- gmail -dot- com>> wrote:
Hi Jen,
I am a PMP and a tech writer. Having a PMP certification not only enables me to better organize larger tech writing projects - using the same terminology and methodology that product development project managers use - but also to better understand any tasks assigned to me by one of the PD PMs. Thus it helps facilitate communication and common understanding both ways.
I think you missed a bit of Tony's point in his response back to you, To achieve PMP certification, you must, among other things, demonstrate a that you have a certain number of hours of actual project management experience (I forget the exact number). Sounds as though you've already met that criteria for certification. So why not go for it?
Regarding costs, initially there is the cost of PMI membership, any test-prep coursework (I took a course through a local university), and the application fee/test fee. To maintain your PMP certification, you must attain 60 PDUs every 3 years and then pay a fee to renew. Here in Colorado, you can attain 20 hours of PDUs every year just by attending all 10 chapter meetings (2 PDUs per meeting). Yes, we have to pay for those 2 PDUs ($25-$35 per meeting), but, hey, the meetings include dinner and social time, and the speakers are generally really good. In addition, you can earn up to 5 PDUs every year just be being a practicing project/program manager (that amounts to free credits!).Plus the local chapter offers all sorts of (fee-based) workshops and seminars for PDU credit. There are lots of additional ways to earn PDUs - like reading a book (our local chapter has a free lending library). So I don't really consider the cost of maintaining my PMP to be overly high. But that's probably just me.
On Tue, May 26, 2015 at 8:46 AM, O Neill, Jennifer BIS <Jennifer -dot- ONeill -at- fs -dot- utc -dot- com<mailto:Jennifer -dot- ONeill -at- fs -dot- utc -dot- com>> wrote:
Tony,
I need to make a business case to management so they agree to financially support my project management training (money, time). Iâm interested to hear what others have experienced when formalizing their PM skills. For example, was it difficult to persuade management, what impact did formal training in project management have on your work, what costs are incurred long term (PMI certification, for example, must be renewed every 3 years so some form of regular PM trainings are involved).
Cheers,
jen
From: Tony Chung [mailto:tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca<mailto:tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca>]
Sent: 26 May, 2015 16:20
To: O Neill, Jennifer BIS
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com<mailto:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: [External] Re: What's the benefit in getting a PMP certification in project management?
[Jennifer O Neill asked about PMP certification, alternative PM training, employer support for the above.]
Hi Jennifer,
I can't speak on behalf of the PMP program or the alternative methods you found. My question to you is, if you already are involved in projects and are leading projects, why wouldn't you want to apply that time forwards your PMP credential so you can get something out of the work you're already doing? Project planning often falls in the TechCom/BA lap anyway.
In this industry every certificate, specialty, and credential is useful for opening conversations with people you don't know. They may also give you negotiating advantage. Long term success comes from your ability to hit quickly and achieve great results consistently.
-Tony
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