Most professionals today are swamped.  We attend meetings, manage email, and do the work of our projects.  However, most professionals also maintain an obligation to continuous learning within our chosen professional field.  In fact, many of us are required to demonstrate continued education in order to maintain our professional credentials.

For example, PDMA (Product Development and Management Association) and PMI® (Project Management Institute) both require renewal of certifications every three (3) years showing 60 professional development hours (PDHs).  PMI specifies that of these PDHs, at least eight (8) hours must be attained in each of business and strategic management, leadership, and technical project management.  ASEM (American Society of Engineering Managers) requires 45 PDHs every three (3) years to maintain the Professional Engineering Manager (PEM) certification.

In a working world short on time, how can professionals get the job done and maintain their credentials?  That’s where the 3A’s of professional development come in:

1. Accessible,
2. Available, and
3. Affordable

Accessible

One option for New Product Development Professionals (NPDP), Project Management Professionals (PMP®), and PEMs is to earn continuing educations units (CEU) online.  Online learning is accessible wherever there is an internet connection.  At Simple PDH, we make PDH courses accessible through a variety of formats.

First, courses include documentation and video/audio to make learning easy.  Students can download articles to read at their leisure or proceed through the course at one sitting.  Most PDH courses are designed for completion within just one or two hours.

Next, practice tests are available for users to test their knowledge on the topic before, during, and after studying course materials.  Practice tests help you prepare for the final exam.  Continuing education credits are awarded after the candidate achieves a passing score on the final test.

Finally, candidates can take the final exams as many times as necessary during the course registration period (typically 60 days).  Once a user obtains a passing score (typically 70%), s/he can download and print the completion certificate clearly indicating the course title, date, and number of PDHs earned.

Available

While we are just getting started in 2016, a wide variety of professional topics for PDH courses are coming available at Simple PDH.  Professional credential holders should routinely review foundational concepts as well as emerging topics.

For example, NPDPs should be well-versed in strategy and portfolio management.  PMPs must understand the triple constraint and earned value management.  (Our newest course, launching in April 2016, covers Project Cost Estimating, the triple constraint, and earned value management.)  Likewise, PEMs should be familiar with organizational design and quality systems.  Yet, all professionals benefit from emerging knowledge in the fields of open innovation and design thinking, for example.  (Look for courses on these topics later in 2016.)

Affordable

A big drag on maintaining a professional credential is the cost.  Most certifying bodies require a certification renewal fee in addition to demonstration of continued professional development.  Many of us cannot afford the time or money to attend large, multi-day conferences just to earn a few PDHs.  In other cases, even attending a full conference does not meet the minimum required PDHs for renewal of a professional credential.

Online learning is simple and affordable.  Most one-hour courses cost less than a meal at a local restaurant.  In addition, annual memberships offer discounted course rates in which you can bundle your own select group of courses to save more.  Corporate memberships are coming soon!

The 3A’s of Professional Development

You have worked hard to attain a professional certification like NPDP, PMP, and PEM.  It is our belief at Simple PDH that maintaining your certification should be accessible, available, and affordable.  With online courses you can study, learn, and earn your PDHs simply!

Try It Now!

To find out how easy it is to study, learn, and earn PDHs at Simple-PDH, join the Disruptive Innovation course now and earn 1 PDH for NPDP, PMP, or PEM renewal.  If you’re not 100% sure of how online training works, please take an introductory course for FREE!  Learn more about NPDP certification by clicking here to register at no cost.  Or click on Registration in the upper right corner at www.Simple-PDH.com, then enroll in either of the Disruptive Innovation or NPDP Certification courses (see Courses in the top menu).

New courses are being added for PEM, PMP, and NPDP professional development every month, so check back often!  If you have questions about existing or upcoming PDH courses, please contact us at info@simple-pdh.com or by phone at 281-280-8717.

 

Study. Learn. Earn. Simple.

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