Would you like to earn 30 free PDUs?

Listen to the People and Projects Podcast!

I recently ran into a guy who had worked diligently to get his PMP certification, only to lose it 3 years later because he didn't get the required continuing education PDUs. The truth is getting 60 PDUs can be a challenge. How about getting 30 PDUs for free?

Listening to the People and Projects Podcast allows you to claim Category C PDUs (Self-Directed Learning). You can claim up to 30 of these type of PDUs in every 3 year certification cycle.

How Does it Work?

Each PDU represents 60 minutes of learning. For podcasts that are under an hour, just listen to a couple on the same topic and consolidate them. For example, two half-hour podcast episodes on communications issues can be consolidated into one PDU for Project Communications Management.

How Do I Track My PDUs?

Every PMP is subject to audit during the PDU submission process and you may have to show exactly how you earned all your PDU's. PMI reserves the right to reject some or all of the PDU's that you claim. Because of that, it's best to keep a log of the episodes that you listen to.

Here's a simple spreadsheet you can download to use for tracking your podcast listening:

Each time you listen to an episode of The People and Projects Podcast, make an entry into your log of the episode number, title, guest, the day you listened to it, and the total number of minutes of the eposide. Then, make a note of which knowledge areas were addressed in the episode. For example, a 34 minute episode that was primarily about people management, you would put 34 minutes into the duration column and put an "x" in the HR column. If a 28 minute episode addressed people management and risk management, you could put 28 in the duration column, and an "x' in the HR and Risk Management columns.

How Do I Report My PDUs?

Every 6-12 months, you can take the information from your log and report the hours for PDU credit. The Project Management Institute (PMI) provides an online PDU reporting site. Click here to be taken to the site. Follow these steps to claim your PDU's:

• Click "Report PDUs" (you'll see the link below the title "PDU Activity as of xx/xx/xxxx")
• Select "Category C"
• Click on Next.
• Input the following information:
  • Program/Title description: Studying with The People and Projects Podcast
  • Date started: Date you started listening to our podcast
  • Date completed: When you ended listening
  • Objectives: You must use your own objectives here. What were you trying to learn? What were your goals with listening to the podcast?
  • Hours Completed: Enter the total number of hours that you listened.
  • Process: Select the processes that were covered in the episodes you listened to.
  • Knowledge Area: Similarly, select the Knowledge Areas that were covered in the episodes you listened to.
  • Industry: Select your industry
  • Provider name: Institute for Leadership Excellence & Development Inc.
  • Address: 765 Pheasant Ridge Court, Suite 101
  • City: Lake Zurich
  • State: IL
  • Zip/Postal code: 60047
  • Country: USA
  • Phone Number: (866) 884-5323
  • URL: www.peopleandprojectspodcast.com
  • Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Click Next.
• Input the total number of PDU's you are claiming.
• Click Next.
• Confirm your submission that you are being accurate with your entry.

Can I Carry Any of These PDU's Over?

One of our listeners--Mahendra Agrawal--asked this question to PMI. Here is their response: "Yes, you can earn 30 Category C PDUs and transfer 20 forward. Once you begin your new cycle all of the restrictions will be reset, so you can earn another 30 Category C PDUs in your next cycle." That's great news if you have already earned most of your PDUs for the current cycle. Thank you Mahendra for this update!

Are Free PDUs Really That Easy?

Yes they are! Of course this goes without saying but I'll say it anyway: all PDU submissions are subject to review and audit by PMI so make sure to keep records of which episodes you are including. That's it!

By the way, if you're looking for other sources of inexpensive PDU's, I invite you to check out the PDU Podcast by clicking on this image:

If you have any questions, check out PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Program handbook. Thanks for listening to The People and Projects Podcast!