Update March 26, 2010:  “I Renewed My PMP Certification!”

I was pretty thrilled when I obtained my PMP status.  I deserved it.  After working so many years and hours on projects after projects, it was time to get some official designation that represented my contribution to the working world.  That was in early 2006 and my designation is up for renewal come early 2010.   So now the great question - Should I renew my PMP designation?

Having a PMP designation is great for numerous reasons:

1. Many jobs actually REQUIRE or PREFER a PMP designated individual if project work is involved
2. It’s proof of your experience as a PM (no mention of quality here)
3. It’s another 3 letters to add at the end of your name on business cards
4. There are vast resources that become available to you when you’re part of a global conglomerate mass of project managers

Here are the 10 reasons as stated from PMI.org.

OK, but how much VALUE does the above have?  I’m now facing a dilemma of deciding whether I should continue to invest resources into maintaining my PMP status.  If it were as easy as submitting a form of my continued PM experience, I would surely do it.  But keeping your PMP is more work than that.  The money isn’t the issue - it’s rightly justified that any organization that is able to provide a standardized level of recognition be paid, is absolutely the right thing to do. 

In order to maintain my PMP, I’ll need 60 PDUs (Professional Development Units) for every 3 year cycle I have my PMP.   For example, a 2-day PM course can give me 16 credits.  BUT I NEED 60!!!  And it’s not as easy as practicing as a PM that will give you credits.  You need to be actively involved - which for shame of me, I am not.  This is why T minus 1 year and counting, I’m debating whether I should go full force this working year and just get my credits. 

My current job is IT Manager - Strategy & Planning for the CIO Office at a high end luxury brand in HK.  There is PM work, but I do mostly “Strategy & Planning”.  It’s a new role, so I really evolve the job as I go along.  This career path is completely different from what I initially wanted as a PM.  And do I even want to go back to doing true PM work?  Truth be told, every job involves project management, it’s just to what level and depth.  I don’t use WBS right now.  I haven’t drawn a FISH BONE diagram since I took my class.  You see my point right?

Anyways a few things to consider (for those who are just as stuck as I am):

1. Does your job REQUIRE a PMP?  If so, geez, I wonder what the answer is.
2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  Management is different from Project Management.  For someone like me, who is unsure of where I want to go (but I definitely DO know where I DO NOT want to go), it may be safe just to maintain it to keep doors open.
3. Do you have easy to moderate access in obtaining PDUs?  If so, use the platform (ie: training from work) to maintain it.
4. Look at similar people in role and industry to see if they have PMPs.  If a majority don’t, than maybe having one is just a “nice-to-have”.
5. Does PM work still excite you?  This may be just enough to maintain it, regardless of job post and career direction. 

I still enjoy doing PM work and I am proud that I have the designation.  So having said that and doing an internal dissection of myself and some much needed reflection through this post - I think I am going to TRY to maintain it.  Like I said, I don’t know where I’ll be in 5 years (heck I could be back in Toronto at IBM :o) and maybe I will need my PMP).  You just never know…