Saturday, January 12, 2013

Can I earn PDUs in CMMI Training? Yes … BUT!

Hey, CMMI Appraiser, can I earn PDUs in CMMI training? ~ Project Manager

Dear Readers,

When I speak at various process and performance improvement forums around the country, I am often asked by Project Managers if it is possible to earn PDUs (professional development units) by successfully completing CMMI training. The answer is, “Yes … BUT!” Here’s what I mean. CMMI Training can be a valuable experience that also helps you earn PDUs … BUT before you sign up for one, consider the following:


Over the years, I have found that there tend to be three groups of people who ask about earning PDUs by participating in CMMI training:

  1. Those who should PROBABLY NOT participate in CMMI training;
  2. Those who should CONSIDER participating in CMMI training; and
  3. Those who are REQUIRED to participate in CMMI training.

Let’s address them individually.


Who should PROBABLY NOT participate in CMMI training?
  • Anyone who just wants PDUs to satisfy their PMI requirements, and is not at all interested in continuous improvement (do these people exist?...)

Who should CONSIDER participating in CMMI training?
  • Anyone interested in improving software and engineering performance
  • Anyone who wants an approach to remedy consistently late or over-budget projects
  • Anyone tiring of working in a “hero culture”
  • Anyone who needs a way to make their work sustainable or scalable

Who is REQUIRED to participate in CMMI training?

Keep in mind, even if you are required, the best reason to participate in CMMI training is because you are interested in gaining new insights into addressing persistent problems (like late projects, over-budget projects, unhappy customers, etc., etc., etc.) and improving upon what you are ALREADY doing.

If that's what folks are REALLY after, then my answer is “Yes … AND!”

For example, next month, this CMMI Appraiser is conducting a CMMI training session, in partnership with CC PACE, a leading Agile IT Services firm. Our joint presentation of "Introduction to CMMI-DEV v1.3" takes place in Fairfax, VA, on February 11-13, 2013.

Yes, professionals can earn 21 PDUs (or 2.5 CEUs) by participating in this class, AND our "Introduction to CMMI-DEV v1.3" is designed to help CMMI-focused organizations who are looking for guidance on being lighter and more flexible, as well as Agile shops who are still seeking the kind of results they’ve been hoping for.

It's a long answer to a short question, I know.  But CMMI Training is definitely NOT for everyone seeking PDUs!

Register for "Introduction to CMMI-DEV," February 11-13 2013 in Fairfax, VA.

Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author, and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI trainings and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.

Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information about engineering strategy, performance innovation , software process improvement and running a successful CMMI program.

To download eBooks about CMMI, visit Jeff’s Author Page on Amazon.

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