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Everything You Need To Know About ITIL®

What is ITIL®?Today, the worlds of business and technology have overlapped each other and are linked inextricably. To thrive and to remain competitive, companies need to bring IT services in considerable focus. The transition of a company’s objectives and capabilities to IT can be an overwhelming process. To ease this transition and to select, plan, deliver and maintain a certain standard in IT services within the organisation, a standardised framework called the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) is designed.The ITIL® ensures that the implementation of IT services for any business has efficiency and predictable service deliverability at its core. The framework makes sure that the IT services department in any organisation is an active business partner and not just a backend service provider.  The reason why ITIL® is gaining such importance and focus in the business world is that without it, the resources spent on designing and developing an IT service management (ITSM) process would be futile, which would, in turn, make the business less competitive, susceptible to losses in money and customers and less efficient.ITIL® HistoryThe growing discrepancies in processes, deployments and inconsistent IT services on account of the geographical decentralisation of data centers in the 1980s led to the need for ITIL®.Released as a series of books in 1989 by The United Kingdom's Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA), ITIL® Version one, i.e., ITIL® V1 was their response to a need to recognise IT as an essential service and the need to apply it consistently across the organisation.ITIL® consists of various levels and modules. It aims to cover comprehensively everything from service strategies to continuous improvement which would ultimately help practitioners to adopt the IT services for their organisation and be prepared for changes down the line.ITIL® UpdatesPost-1989, the ITIL® has been upgraded to reflect the changes in the business world and is now a highly renowned and recommended practice with multiple thousands of practitioners getting certified and implementing it.Post launch, the first major change in ITIL® came in 2000-2001 with the release of ITIL® V2. This version focused on making the entire framework more accessible and less formidable for the candidates. It compiled the entire framework into nine sets of related elements. This version was followed by the ITIL® V3 in 2007 which was a compact and well-designed framework of 26 functions that were combined into five volumes.  This version was built to inculcate the concept of service lifecycle structure. Few changes were introduced to V3 which was launched in 2011 as ITIL® V3 2011. In 2019, the latest version, ITIL® V4, is all set for launch with a focus on the ITIL® service value system and upgrading the credit system.ITIL® PublicationsThe framework of ITIL® V3 encompasses five core publications which aim to cover the entire lifecycle of ITSM. They are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the advancements made in IT technology. The five core publications are:ITIL® Service Strategy: This publication aims to identify and describe the goals of the business and the objectives of the IT services and align them to customer requirements.ITIL® Service Design: Based on the strategy defined in the previous publication, this publication aims at outlining the IT architecture, policies, and procedure as well as documentation.ITIL® Service Transition: This is an important publication which focuses on the change management and practices to be followed for releasing each policy/service change. It mainly aims to guide the transition and anticipated interruptions.ITIL® Service Operation: This is the actual working, functioning and operating manual in the ITIL® framework. The operation help in managing IT services regularly.ITIL® Continual Service Improvement: This publication is futurist in its outlook as it aims to guide the organisation through improvements and updates within the ITIL® framework.  As is evident, the modules cover everything from the beginning, i.e., identifying the customer’s needs to designing and implementation and in the end, monitoring and improving the ITSM process.ITIL® Modules The entire ITIL® process is a module based framework. The certification, for example, under ITIL® v4 has been broken down into ITIL® Foundation and the ITIL® Master exams. Post the ITIL® Foundation, the course is further split into two modules: ITIL® Managing Professional (MP) and ITIL® Strategic Leader (SL), which the candidate need to complete in order to progress further.  ITIL® MP has the following modules:ITIL® Specialist – Create, Deliver and SupportITIL® Specialist – Drive Stakeholder ValueITIL® Specialist – High Velocity ITITIL® Strategist – Direct, Plan & ImproveITIL® SL, on the other hand, has the following modules:ITIL® Strategist – Direct, Plan & ImproveITIL® Leader – Digital & IT StrategyNine ITIL® Principles & ITIL® ModulesReleased in 2019, ITIL® V4 has the same focus as its predecessors. Although, it does have an updated framework which also represents and accommodates modern technologies and software. The program has illustrated nine guiding principles with an aim to provide for change management within an organisation, organisation communication, measurement, and metrics. These nine principles include:Focus on valueHere, ITIL® encourages the professional to define the service output in a manner that captures the needs of the customer.Design for experienceThe paramount thing here, as per ITIL®, is to understand the context within which the service offered will be consumed by the customers.Start where you areThis principle pushes the candidate to collect information and understand the customer’s current pattern of consumption and how the services offered under ITIL® will support it.Work holisticallyBy understanding the entire value chain of the customer, ITIL® ensures that the services offered do not disrupt that value chain but make an active contribution to it.Progress iterativelyITIL®, while being implemented, must start with the minimally viable option and then progress from there based on an understanding of the priorities of the customer’s needs and expectations.Observe directlyITIL® requires that the customers including users and sponsors are heard out and observed regularly. Candidates must observe how the service is delivered, executed and consumed.Be transparentIn the realm of ITIL®, sharing is encouraged: of ideas, thoughts, failures, concerns as well as improvements made.CollaborateITIL® requires the active involvement of all stakeholders from customers, users to suppliers.Keep it simpleIt is imperative that any implementation of ITIL® uses simple words which are easy to understand to ensure clear communication.ITIL® principles and modules when systematically followed can help an organisation manage as well as mitigate risks better, save on IT support costs, create a thriving ecosystem which ensures growth, scale, change and strengthens the organisation’s relationship with their end users i.e the customers.What are ITIL® processes & frameworks?The framework of ITIL® V3 is made up of five parts: service strategy, service design, service transition, service operation, and continual service improvement. These sections comprise of:Strategy GenerationFinancial managementDemand managementService Portfolio managementITIL® Service DesignThe design of an IT service which has architectures, processes, policies and documentation is laid out in this section to address the requirements of the business requirement. Seven processes are included in Service Design:Service Catalog ManagementService Level ManagementAvailability ManagementCapacity ManagementIT Service Continuity ManagementInformation Security ManagementSupplier ManagementITIL® Service TransitionThis stage is to make sure that that the current state of service is not ignored when an organization is going through change. ITIL® Service Transition includes seven processes which are:Transition Planning and SupportChange ManagementService Asset and Configuration ManagementRelease and Deployment ManagementService Validation and TestingEvaluationKnowledge ManagementITIL® Service OperationITIL® Service Operation is essential to make sure the organisation meets the requirements of the customer. It comprises of various functions to ensure a smooth flow of everyday tasks related to planning, operations, monitoring, and related services. Service Operation includes five processes:Event ManagementIncident ManagementRequest FulfillmentProblem ManagementAccess ManagementITIL® Continual Service ImprovementIn this stage of ITIL®, stringent quality checks are required to ensure the service process is improved consistently. There are three processes in this stage of Continual Service Improvement:The 7 improvement processService MeasurementService ReportingBest practicesITIL® guidelines and best practices' primary aim is to align IT department actions as well as expenses to the needs of the business and change them as the company grows and shifts direction.ITIL® ensures support to the organisations and individuals as they endeavour to achieve optimal value from their investment in IT and digital technologies and services. It creates a sense of direction for the service provider to create a clear capability model and adjust its business strategy with customer needs.As a professionally recognised international certification scheme, ITIL® ensures comprehensive and pragmatic guidance which helps in establishing a service management system. Its best practices start from the basics such as defining a glossary of common terms which business can use as they adopt IT-enabled services into their practices.ITIL® ObjectivesITIL®, in its objective, contributes immense value to the organisation which adopts its framework. It not only assures quality, increased availability, reduction in costs and better cost-benefit relationship but also a tremendous improvement in effectiveness in meeting requirements of a class, growth in flexibility and making the principle of adopting and adapting possible.ITIL® helps organisations in achieving the following objectives:Reduction in IT costsImprovement in qualityReduction in riskImprovement in decision makingIncrement in productivityOrganisation-wide transparency and effective communication.Implementing a culture of adopting a practical approach to service managementAdoption of a common framework of practicesITIL® FundamentalsWhether it is the private or public sector, internal or external services providers, small, medium or large organisations, ITIL® continues to remain useful, relevant and evolving in every technical environment. There are some ITIL® fundamentals which are a primary reason why organisations must adopt it to ensure that their needs of IT and their customers are met.These fundamentals include:Best Practices: ITIL® is a representation of the best practices, experiences, learning, and thoughts of the world’s best-in-class service providers.Continuous Evolvement: The success of ITIL® can easily be credited to its fundamental principle of developing continually. This ensures that organisations are enabled to derive and deliver benefits, get assured returns on investment and sustainable success.Adapt and Adopt:  ITIL® is adapted to enable organisations in:Ensuring early adoption of a standard approach towards service management throughout the organisation and its processes.Changing the culture of the organisation to support the sustainable and prosperous achievements of goals, enabled by IT.Optimising and reducing costs.Improving customer interaction as well as the relationship.Coordinating across the value chain of the delivery of goods and services.What is ITIL® Certification?Here is a brief overview of the ITIL® Certification Program.ITIL® serves as the primary ITSM framework for any organisation. As a person in IT, getting these certificates is essential, as they add to their skillset. Many IT professionals in the industry consider the ITIL® certifications as the Holy Bible to IT support. ITIL® V3 utilises a credit system for all its levels from the Foundation through Master levels. Each certification level earns a certain number of credits. After obtaining the requisite number of credits, the individual will take the ITIL® Master certification. In ITIL® V3, a total of 22 credits are required by a professional, if they are to earn the ITIL® Expert certification. The benefits of the ITIL® certification program include:Better preparedness with an in-depth knowledge of ITIL® frameworks which enables you to work betterEnsures professional advancement and better payHelps you speak the language of IT professionalsExpanded horizons and a vision for the bigger pictureITIL® certification is a modular programme, directed towards learning the ITIL® framework and comprises of a series of qualifications which are focused on different aspects of the ITIL® framework and its implementation.The certification enfolds in a tiered structure which ensures that candidates have flexibility and progress through the depths of ITIL® in a sequential manner.Recently, on the 18th of February, 2019, ITIL® 4 certifications starting with a foundation course have been released. The remaining certifications are due for release in the second half of 2019.Under the ITIL® V3, the certifications had five levels which included:FoundationPractitionerIntermediateExpertMasterThis system has evolved to the following under V4:FoundationManaging ProfessionalStrategic LeaderMasterIt is important to note that the ITIL® system uses a credit system right from the Foundation level through the Expert levels with each certification amounting to a certain number of credits. The following chart illustrates the current ITIL® V3® credit system:Sr. NoLevel of ITIL® certificationNo. of credits awarded1ITIL® Foundation22ITIL® Practitioner33ITIL® IntermediateLifecycle ModuleService Strategy3Service Design3Service Transition3Service Operation3Continual Service Improvement3Capability ModuleOperational Support and Analysis4Planning, Protection, and Optimization4Release, Control, and Validation4Service Offerings and Agreements44Managing across the lifecycle55ITIL® ExpertITIL® Certification LevelsUnder the ITIL® V3 certification, levels are under:1. FoundationThis is the first level in the ITIL® certifications. It focuses on ensuring that the candidate is well versed with standard terminology and methodology. They will get the knowledge required to not only support but also deliver ITIL® related services.2. PractitionerThe Practitioner level is the second level of the ITIL® certification. In this level, the candidates are encouraged to improve their ability to adopt and adapt ITIL® for an organization.3. Intermediate This is the third level of the ITIL® certification. It consists of two categories or modules of certification: Service Lifecycle and Service Capability.The Service Lifecycle modules are:Service Strategy (SS)Service Design (SD)Service Transition (ST)Service Operation (SO)Continual Service Improvement (CSI)The Service Capability modules are:Operational Support and Analysis (OSA)Planning, Protection, and Optimization (PPO)Release, Control, and Validation (RCV)Service Offerings and Agreements (SOA)In the Service Lifecycle module, a lot of focus is given to management across several ITIL® processes. On the other hand, the module of Service Capability focuses on specialized as well as process-level knowledge within ITIL® processes.4. ExpertITIL® Expert certification is the fourth level of the ITIL® certification, and it is also delivered in modular form. This certification can be taken only by those candidates who have cleared the previous levels to ensure that they the requisite detailed knowledge and skills to clearly understand the entire system of ITIL®.5. MasterThe fifth level of the ITIL® certification is the ITIL® Master Level certification. This level focuses on strengthening and widening the mastery of the practical application of ITIL® in a variety of settings. The professionals working on ITIL® directly are usually involved in planning, operations, and management of ITSM. Through this certification, they obtain the skills to demonstrate their knowledge.Here are some details on the levels of certifications under ITIL® V4 :1. ITIL® Foundation Certification -  IT Service ManagementThe ITIL® 4 Foundation certification is designed as an introduction to ITIL® 4, and it enables candidates to look at ITSM as an end-to-end operating model for creating, delivering and continuously improving tech-enabled products and services. It helps those individuals who require a basic knowledge of the ITIL® framework. It also helps those who wish to understand how ITIL® as a framework can be used to enhance ITSM and those IT professionals working within an organisation that has adopted ITIL®.2. ITIL® Managing Professional - ITIL® MPITIL® MP has four modules within itself, adding value of ITIL® Foundation, which are:ITIL® Specialist Create, Deliver and SupportITIL® Specialist Drive Stakeholder ValueITIL® Specialist High Velocity ITITIL® Strategist Direct Plan and ImproveITIL® MP targets those IT practitioners who work within technology and digital teams across organisations.  3. ITIL® Strategic Leader - ITIL® SLWithin ITIL® SL, two modules embody the next stage of ITIL® evolution. The two modules are:ITIL® Strategist Direct Plan and ImproveITIL® Leader Digital and IT StrategyThis set is perfect for those who understand how IT services influence business strategy.4. ITIL® Master Certificate - ITSMITIL® Master Certificate helps the person justify and explain a range of knowledge, principles, methods, and techniques of ITIL® Framework. It requires one to have extensive practical experience with ITIL® and demonstrative knowledge of the prospect.To be eligible for the ITIL® Master certification, you must:Be  ITIL® Expert certifiedHave experience in IT services management for five years at least in leadership, management or higher management position.How much does ITIL® certification cost?Currently, ITIL® certifications are under Axelos. An individual can start the course by either using a hardcopy, PDF, ePublication or via an online subscription which can be availed directly from Axelos. While this is the primary cost, the second is the training cost. For each level of the course, there is a different cost associated. The curriculum leading to the initial certificate usually runs for two days and the courses commencing to higher certifications can run for a week or more.There is an additional cost of re-engineering a few of the processes to enable ITIL® frameworks and enable them to comply with ITIL® guidelines. An additional cost would be the investment in the ITIL® study guide and ITIL® practice exam which is set to be between $30 to $50 respectively. Therefore, there is no fixed cost for gaining the ITIL® certification. Axelos has tied up with an institution called  Accredited Training Organisation (ATO) where one can take ITIL® training.What are ITIL® complementary certifications?Axelos, apart from the five levels of ITIL® certifications, also offers complementary courses under the ITIL® credit system which are known as ITIL® complementary certifications. A total of 6 credits can be earned through these additional courses. It is critical to ensure that there is no overlap between the modules at different levels, as the percentage of overlap that Axelos segregates can be divided into three categories: low, moderate and high. The candidate should focus on staying in the ‘low overlap’ zone to ensure that they earn the right credits. Axelos details the course on its website and gives a hawk-eye view of its benefit.Who should do ITIL® certification?ITIL® certification is acquired via classroom study and virtual IT coaching which can be supplemented with self-study. An ITIL® certification represents that the person who has it has the requisite knowledge and skills related to ITIL® structure and terminology. It also describes that he has a working knowledge of the core principles and subject areas relating to IT, which is the primary use of ITIL® technology in the management of business services. The certification is helpful for:People who have the basic knowledge of ITIL® and wish to utilise it towards ensuring better control of service operation in a business situation.IT professionals who want positive changes in the efficiency of a business organisation such as cost reduction.Following professionals are recommended to take the ITIL® course:IT ManagersIT DirectorsQuality AnalystsIT Service ManagersSupport Professionals and EngineersService Support EngineersDatabase AdministratorsOperations ManagersOwners of Business ProcessesWhat is ITIL® Foundation?The foundation course will act as an introduction to ITIL® 4, and it will introduce candidates to ITSM as an end-to-end operating model with a focus on creating, delivering, and improving IT-enabled products and services.The certification aims to help:People who require a fundamental understanding of the ITIL® framework.Those who wish to learn how ITIL® can be useful in enhancing the IT service management.IT professionals or others who are working within an organisation that has adopted ITIL®.However, the ITIL® V4 foundation certification is helpful to anyone who has an interest in IT service management. ITIL® V4 Foundation candidates, at the end of the certificate course, will have an understanding of the following:A thorough grasp of how to facilitate the co-creation of value for customers as well as other stakeholders via products and services.Exposure to the guiding principles of ITIL® V4.A holistic approach towards the four dimensions of Service Management.Basic terminologies such as Agile, Lean, DevOps and their importance.The significance of ITIL® practices and their value to your business.Are there any Versions in ITIL® Foundation?ITIL® has seen 4 versions till date. Each of the versions has had the same motive of helping the candidate achieve alignment between the IT systems with the business strategies.Version 1 was launched with more than 30 volumes each covering a specific practice within ITSM. It aimed at establishing a model of controlling and managing business operations using IT.In the year 2000-2001, in order to make ITIL® more accessible as well as affordable, a new version, ITIL® V2 endeavoured to consolidate the publications into nine sets which focus on logic and were grouped in a manner that matched different aspects of IT management and services.Under ITIL® V3, the foundation level was introduced to candidates with the aim of exposing them to the basic concepts, key elements and common terminologies under ITIL®.The primary purpose has not changed under the ITIL® V4, and their essential features remain the same. The updated version of ITIL® V4 merely includes advanced material on the additional best practices.  ITIL® V4 aims to address the two major complains of the ITIL® :Its relationship with the ITSM community.Its failure to update itself with the latest trends in IT operations and software development.How ITIL® certification helps business?ITIL® certification has now become essential for any business which uses digital services daily and aspires to have a flawless ITSM. An ITIL® certification helps with installing good ITSM practices within the organisation. This certification covers the whole development lifecycle of IT, all the way from recognising requirements of IT and business to maintaining and delivering the levels of service in a state of focused review and improvement. This holistic approach enhances the overall customer experience and integration of work.To help understand the nuances better, let us explore ITIL® V3 Foundation Vs. ITIL® V4 Foundation.ITIL® V3, which is also popularly referred to as ITIL® 2011, was the latest version before the upgrade to ITIL® V4. The new version introduced the process of the Business Relationship Management (BRM) process but other than that, most of the other elements remain the same.  An important change was that it was easier to read and many of the inconsistencies were edited out. ITIL® V4 uses newer techniques to align IT with a more evolved level of efficiency and effectiveness. It is now possible to align ITIL® with other existing methods such as IT4IT, Agile, DevOps, and Lean.Even with ITIL® V4, the essential elements of ITIL® V3 remain the same. ITIL® V4 just ensures the inclusion of additional best practices and easier integration.ITIL® V4 encourages lesser siloes, more collaboration and encourages communication across the whole organization with the integration of Agile, Lean and DevOps into ITSM strategies. It is made to be more flexible and customizable than ITIL® V3 i.e. more holistic.By investing in a training course and implementing ITIL®, you can expect the following things:Enhanced understanding of the customers which aid in delivering better services, long term relationships, and a sound reputation.A developer guide on predicting and reacting to customer service engagement, complaints, and experience.Increased productivity and better management of resources by focusing on the cost-benefit analysis.Risk mitigation and management.Stabilized environment for better alignment of IT and other divisions of your business.Reduced incidences of service failures.A growth in opportunities to network and collaborate with similar business models.Enhanced value of the organisation’s service portfolio.Agile adaptation to new technologies and comply faster to changing needs of the digital worldDirect rise in chances of an improved bottom line in your revenue statements.Thus, through this, it is clear that ITIL® is almost inevitable for business and must be implemented within organisations who wish to keep evolving with the times and achieve their ever-changing goals with the help of IT.To wrap it up, ITIL® is not just a straightforward skills course in IT. It equips the candidate with the requisite resources to apply the knowledge gained to the larger scope of their organization and align with business practices. This means that the candidate would have a practical hold over the best practices, especially when addressing all facets of IT management.
Everything You Need To Know About ITIL®
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Everything You Need To Know About ITIL®

What is ITIL®?Today, the worlds of business and technology have overlapped each other and are linked inextricably. To thrive and to remain competitive, companies need to bring IT services in considerable focus. The transition of a company’s objectives and capabilities to IT can be an overwhelming process. To ease this transition and to select, plan, deliver and maintain a certain standard in IT services within the organisation, a standardised framework called the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) is designed.The ITIL® ensures that the implementation of IT services for any business has efficiency and predictable service deliverability at its core. The framework makes sure that the IT services department in any organisation is an active business partner and not just a backend service provider.  The reason why ITIL® is gaining such importance and focus in the business world is that without it, the resources spent on designing and developing an IT service management (ITSM) process would be futile, which would, in turn, make the business less competitive, susceptible to losses in money and customers and less efficient.ITIL® HistoryThe growing discrepancies in processes, deployments and inconsistent IT services on account of the geographical decentralisation of data centers in the 1980s led to the need for ITIL®.Released as a series of books in 1989 by The United Kingdom's Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA), ITIL® Version one, i.e., ITIL® V1 was their response to a need to recognise IT as an essential service and the need to apply it consistently across the organisation.ITIL® consists of various levels and modules. It aims to cover comprehensively everything from service strategies to continuous improvement which would ultimately help practitioners to adopt the IT services for their organisation and be prepared for changes down the line.ITIL® UpdatesPost-1989, the ITIL® has been upgraded to reflect the changes in the business world and is now a highly renowned and recommended practice with multiple thousands of practitioners getting certified and implementing it.Post launch, the first major change in ITIL® came in 2000-2001 with the release of ITIL® V2. This version focused on making the entire framework more accessible and less formidable for the candidates. It compiled the entire framework into nine sets of related elements. This version was followed by the ITIL® V3 in 2007 which was a compact and well-designed framework of 26 functions that were combined into five volumes.  This version was built to inculcate the concept of service lifecycle structure. Few changes were introduced to V3 which was launched in 2011 as ITIL® V3 2011. In 2019, the latest version, ITIL® V4, is all set for launch with a focus on the ITIL® service value system and upgrading the credit system.ITIL® PublicationsThe framework of ITIL® V3 encompasses five core publications which aim to cover the entire lifecycle of ITSM. They are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the advancements made in IT technology. The five core publications are:ITIL® Service Strategy: This publication aims to identify and describe the goals of the business and the objectives of the IT services and align them to customer requirements.ITIL® Service Design: Based on the strategy defined in the previous publication, this publication aims at outlining the IT architecture, policies, and procedure as well as documentation.ITIL® Service Transition: This is an important publication which focuses on the change management and practices to be followed for releasing each policy/service change. It mainly aims to guide the transition and anticipated interruptions.ITIL® Service Operation: This is the actual working, functioning and operating manual in the ITIL® framework. The operation help in managing IT services regularly.ITIL® Continual Service Improvement: This publication is futurist in its outlook as it aims to guide the organisation through improvements and updates within the ITIL® framework.  As is evident, the modules cover everything from the beginning, i.e., identifying the customer’s needs to designing and implementation and in the end, monitoring and improving the ITSM process.ITIL® Modules The entire ITIL® process is a module based framework. The certification, for example, under ITIL® v4 has been broken down into ITIL® Foundation and the ITIL® Master exams. Post the ITIL® Foundation, the course is further split into two modules: ITIL® Managing Professional (MP) and ITIL® Strategic Leader (SL), which the candidate need to complete in order to progress further.  ITIL® MP has the following modules:ITIL® Specialist – Create, Deliver and SupportITIL® Specialist – Drive Stakeholder ValueITIL® Specialist – High Velocity ITITIL® Strategist – Direct, Plan & ImproveITIL® SL, on the other hand, has the following modules:ITIL® Strategist – Direct, Plan & ImproveITIL® Leader – Digital & IT StrategyNine ITIL® Principles & ITIL® ModulesReleased in 2019, ITIL® V4 has the same focus as its predecessors. Although, it does have an updated framework which also represents and accommodates modern technologies and software. The program has illustrated nine guiding principles with an aim to provide for change management within an organisation, organisation communication, measurement, and metrics. These nine principles include:Focus on valueHere, ITIL® encourages the professional to define the service output in a manner that captures the needs of the customer.Design for experienceThe paramount thing here, as per ITIL®, is to understand the context within which the service offered will be consumed by the customers.Start where you areThis principle pushes the candidate to collect information and understand the customer’s current pattern of consumption and how the services offered under ITIL® will support it.Work holisticallyBy understanding the entire value chain of the customer, ITIL® ensures that the services offered do not disrupt that value chain but make an active contribution to it.Progress iterativelyITIL®, while being implemented, must start with the minimally viable option and then progress from there based on an understanding of the priorities of the customer’s needs and expectations.Observe directlyITIL® requires that the customers including users and sponsors are heard out and observed regularly. Candidates must observe how the service is delivered, executed and consumed.Be transparentIn the realm of ITIL®, sharing is encouraged: of ideas, thoughts, failures, concerns as well as improvements made.CollaborateITIL® requires the active involvement of all stakeholders from customers, users to suppliers.Keep it simpleIt is imperative that any implementation of ITIL® uses simple words which are easy to understand to ensure clear communication.ITIL® principles and modules when systematically followed can help an organisation manage as well as mitigate risks better, save on IT support costs, create a thriving ecosystem which ensures growth, scale, change and strengthens the organisation’s relationship with their end users i.e the customers.What are ITIL® processes & frameworks?The framework of ITIL® V3 is made up of five parts: service strategy, service design, service transition, service operation, and continual service improvement. These sections comprise of:Strategy GenerationFinancial managementDemand managementService Portfolio managementITIL® Service DesignThe design of an IT service which has architectures, processes, policies and documentation is laid out in this section to address the requirements of the business requirement. Seven processes are included in Service Design:Service Catalog ManagementService Level ManagementAvailability ManagementCapacity ManagementIT Service Continuity ManagementInformation Security ManagementSupplier ManagementITIL® Service TransitionThis stage is to make sure that that the current state of service is not ignored when an organization is going through change. ITIL® Service Transition includes seven processes which are:Transition Planning and SupportChange ManagementService Asset and Configuration ManagementRelease and Deployment ManagementService Validation and TestingEvaluationKnowledge ManagementITIL® Service OperationITIL® Service Operation is essential to make sure the organisation meets the requirements of the customer. It comprises of various functions to ensure a smooth flow of everyday tasks related to planning, operations, monitoring, and related services. Service Operation includes five processes:Event ManagementIncident ManagementRequest FulfillmentProblem ManagementAccess ManagementITIL® Continual Service ImprovementIn this stage of ITIL®, stringent quality checks are required to ensure the service process is improved consistently. There are three processes in this stage of Continual Service Improvement:The 7 improvement processService MeasurementService ReportingBest practicesITIL® guidelines and best practices' primary aim is to align IT department actions as well as expenses to the needs of the business and change them as the company grows and shifts direction.ITIL® ensures support to the organisations and individuals as they endeavour to achieve optimal value from their investment in IT and digital technologies and services. It creates a sense of direction for the service provider to create a clear capability model and adjust its business strategy with customer needs.As a professionally recognised international certification scheme, ITIL® ensures comprehensive and pragmatic guidance which helps in establishing a service management system. Its best practices start from the basics such as defining a glossary of common terms which business can use as they adopt IT-enabled services into their practices.ITIL® ObjectivesITIL®, in its objective, contributes immense value to the organisation which adopts its framework. It not only assures quality, increased availability, reduction in costs and better cost-benefit relationship but also a tremendous improvement in effectiveness in meeting requirements of a class, growth in flexibility and making the principle of adopting and adapting possible.ITIL® helps organisations in achieving the following objectives:Reduction in IT costsImprovement in qualityReduction in riskImprovement in decision makingIncrement in productivityOrganisation-wide transparency and effective communication.Implementing a culture of adopting a practical approach to service managementAdoption of a common framework of practicesITIL® FundamentalsWhether it is the private or public sector, internal or external services providers, small, medium or large organisations, ITIL® continues to remain useful, relevant and evolving in every technical environment. There are some ITIL® fundamentals which are a primary reason why organisations must adopt it to ensure that their needs of IT and their customers are met.These fundamentals include:Best Practices: ITIL® is a representation of the best practices, experiences, learning, and thoughts of the world’s best-in-class service providers.Continuous Evolvement: The success of ITIL® can easily be credited to its fundamental principle of developing continually. This ensures that organisations are enabled to derive and deliver benefits, get assured returns on investment and sustainable success.Adapt and Adopt:  ITIL® is adapted to enable organisations in:Ensuring early adoption of a standard approach towards service management throughout the organisation and its processes.Changing the culture of the organisation to support the sustainable and prosperous achievements of goals, enabled by IT.Optimising and reducing costs.Improving customer interaction as well as the relationship.Coordinating across the value chain of the delivery of goods and services.What is ITIL® Certification?Here is a brief overview of the ITIL® Certification Program.ITIL® serves as the primary ITSM framework for any organisation. As a person in IT, getting these certificates is essential, as they add to their skillset. Many IT professionals in the industry consider the ITIL® certifications as the Holy Bible to IT support. ITIL® V3 utilises a credit system for all its levels from the Foundation through Master levels. Each certification level earns a certain number of credits. After obtaining the requisite number of credits, the individual will take the ITIL® Master certification. In ITIL® V3, a total of 22 credits are required by a professional, if they are to earn the ITIL® Expert certification. The benefits of the ITIL® certification program include:Better preparedness with an in-depth knowledge of ITIL® frameworks which enables you to work betterEnsures professional advancement and better payHelps you speak the language of IT professionalsExpanded horizons and a vision for the bigger pictureITIL® certification is a modular programme, directed towards learning the ITIL® framework and comprises of a series of qualifications which are focused on different aspects of the ITIL® framework and its implementation.The certification enfolds in a tiered structure which ensures that candidates have flexibility and progress through the depths of ITIL® in a sequential manner.Recently, on the 18th of February, 2019, ITIL® 4 certifications starting with a foundation course have been released. The remaining certifications are due for release in the second half of 2019.Under the ITIL® V3, the certifications had five levels which included:FoundationPractitionerIntermediateExpertMasterThis system has evolved to the following under V4:FoundationManaging ProfessionalStrategic LeaderMasterIt is important to note that the ITIL® system uses a credit system right from the Foundation level through the Expert levels with each certification amounting to a certain number of credits. The following chart illustrates the current ITIL® V3® credit system:Sr. NoLevel of ITIL® certificationNo. of credits awarded1ITIL® Foundation22ITIL® Practitioner33ITIL® IntermediateLifecycle ModuleService Strategy3Service Design3Service Transition3Service Operation3Continual Service Improvement3Capability ModuleOperational Support and Analysis4Planning, Protection, and Optimization4Release, Control, and Validation4Service Offerings and Agreements44Managing across the lifecycle55ITIL® ExpertITIL® Certification LevelsUnder the ITIL® V3 certification, levels are under:1. FoundationThis is the first level in the ITIL® certifications. It focuses on ensuring that the candidate is well versed with standard terminology and methodology. They will get the knowledge required to not only support but also deliver ITIL® related services.2. PractitionerThe Practitioner level is the second level of the ITIL® certification. In this level, the candidates are encouraged to improve their ability to adopt and adapt ITIL® for an organization.3. Intermediate This is the third level of the ITIL® certification. It consists of two categories or modules of certification: Service Lifecycle and Service Capability.The Service Lifecycle modules are:Service Strategy (SS)Service Design (SD)Service Transition (ST)Service Operation (SO)Continual Service Improvement (CSI)The Service Capability modules are:Operational Support and Analysis (OSA)Planning, Protection, and Optimization (PPO)Release, Control, and Validation (RCV)Service Offerings and Agreements (SOA)In the Service Lifecycle module, a lot of focus is given to management across several ITIL® processes. On the other hand, the module of Service Capability focuses on specialized as well as process-level knowledge within ITIL® processes.4. ExpertITIL® Expert certification is the fourth level of the ITIL® certification, and it is also delivered in modular form. This certification can be taken only by those candidates who have cleared the previous levels to ensure that they the requisite detailed knowledge and skills to clearly understand the entire system of ITIL®.5. MasterThe fifth level of the ITIL® certification is the ITIL® Master Level certification. This level focuses on strengthening and widening the mastery of the practical application of ITIL® in a variety of settings. The professionals working on ITIL® directly are usually involved in planning, operations, and management of ITSM. Through this certification, they obtain the skills to demonstrate their knowledge.Here are some details on the levels of certifications under ITIL® V4 :1. ITIL® Foundation Certification -  IT Service ManagementThe ITIL® 4 Foundation certification is designed as an introduction to ITIL® 4, and it enables candidates to look at ITSM as an end-to-end operating model for creating, delivering and continuously improving tech-enabled products and services. It helps those individuals who require a basic knowledge of the ITIL® framework. It also helps those who wish to understand how ITIL® as a framework can be used to enhance ITSM and those IT professionals working within an organisation that has adopted ITIL®.2. ITIL® Managing Professional - ITIL® MPITIL® MP has four modules within itself, adding value of ITIL® Foundation, which are:ITIL® Specialist Create, Deliver and SupportITIL® Specialist Drive Stakeholder ValueITIL® Specialist High Velocity ITITIL® Strategist Direct Plan and ImproveITIL® MP targets those IT practitioners who work within technology and digital teams across organisations.  3. ITIL® Strategic Leader - ITIL® SLWithin ITIL® SL, two modules embody the next stage of ITIL® evolution. The two modules are:ITIL® Strategist Direct Plan and ImproveITIL® Leader Digital and IT StrategyThis set is perfect for those who understand how IT services influence business strategy.4. ITIL® Master Certificate - ITSMITIL® Master Certificate helps the person justify and explain a range of knowledge, principles, methods, and techniques of ITIL® Framework. It requires one to have extensive practical experience with ITIL® and demonstrative knowledge of the prospect.To be eligible for the ITIL® Master certification, you must:Be  ITIL® Expert certifiedHave experience in IT services management for five years at least in leadership, management or higher management position.How much does ITIL® certification cost?Currently, ITIL® certifications are under Axelos. An individual can start the course by either using a hardcopy, PDF, ePublication or via an online subscription which can be availed directly from Axelos. While this is the primary cost, the second is the training cost. For each level of the course, there is a different cost associated. The curriculum leading to the initial certificate usually runs for two days and the courses commencing to higher certifications can run for a week or more.There is an additional cost of re-engineering a few of the processes to enable ITIL® frameworks and enable them to comply with ITIL® guidelines. An additional cost would be the investment in the ITIL® study guide and ITIL® practice exam which is set to be between $30 to $50 respectively. Therefore, there is no fixed cost for gaining the ITIL® certification. Axelos has tied up with an institution called  Accredited Training Organisation (ATO) where one can take ITIL® training.What are ITIL® complementary certifications?Axelos, apart from the five levels of ITIL® certifications, also offers complementary courses under the ITIL® credit system which are known as ITIL® complementary certifications. A total of 6 credits can be earned through these additional courses. It is critical to ensure that there is no overlap between the modules at different levels, as the percentage of overlap that Axelos segregates can be divided into three categories: low, moderate and high. The candidate should focus on staying in the ‘low overlap’ zone to ensure that they earn the right credits. Axelos details the course on its website and gives a hawk-eye view of its benefit.Who should do ITIL® certification?ITIL® certification is acquired via classroom study and virtual IT coaching which can be supplemented with self-study. An ITIL® certification represents that the person who has it has the requisite knowledge and skills related to ITIL® structure and terminology. It also describes that he has a working knowledge of the core principles and subject areas relating to IT, which is the primary use of ITIL® technology in the management of business services. The certification is helpful for:People who have the basic knowledge of ITIL® and wish to utilise it towards ensuring better control of service operation in a business situation.IT professionals who want positive changes in the efficiency of a business organisation such as cost reduction.Following professionals are recommended to take the ITIL® course:IT ManagersIT DirectorsQuality AnalystsIT Service ManagersSupport Professionals and EngineersService Support EngineersDatabase AdministratorsOperations ManagersOwners of Business ProcessesWhat is ITIL® Foundation?The foundation course will act as an introduction to ITIL® 4, and it will introduce candidates to ITSM as an end-to-end operating model with a focus on creating, delivering, and improving IT-enabled products and services.The certification aims to help:People who require a fundamental understanding of the ITIL® framework.Those who wish to learn how ITIL® can be useful in enhancing the IT service management.IT professionals or others who are working within an organisation that has adopted ITIL®.However, the ITIL® V4 foundation certification is helpful to anyone who has an interest in IT service management. ITIL® V4 Foundation candidates, at the end of the certificate course, will have an understanding of the following:A thorough grasp of how to facilitate the co-creation of value for customers as well as other stakeholders via products and services.Exposure to the guiding principles of ITIL® V4.A holistic approach towards the four dimensions of Service Management.Basic terminologies such as Agile, Lean, DevOps and their importance.The significance of ITIL® practices and their value to your business.Are there any Versions in ITIL® Foundation?ITIL® has seen 4 versions till date. Each of the versions has had the same motive of helping the candidate achieve alignment between the IT systems with the business strategies.Version 1 was launched with more than 30 volumes each covering a specific practice within ITSM. It aimed at establishing a model of controlling and managing business operations using IT.In the year 2000-2001, in order to make ITIL® more accessible as well as affordable, a new version, ITIL® V2 endeavoured to consolidate the publications into nine sets which focus on logic and were grouped in a manner that matched different aspects of IT management and services.Under ITIL® V3, the foundation level was introduced to candidates with the aim of exposing them to the basic concepts, key elements and common terminologies under ITIL®.The primary purpose has not changed under the ITIL® V4, and their essential features remain the same. The updated version of ITIL® V4 merely includes advanced material on the additional best practices.  ITIL® V4 aims to address the two major complains of the ITIL® :Its relationship with the ITSM community.Its failure to update itself with the latest trends in IT operations and software development.How ITIL® certification helps business?ITIL® certification has now become essential for any business which uses digital services daily and aspires to have a flawless ITSM. An ITIL® certification helps with installing good ITSM practices within the organisation. This certification covers the whole development lifecycle of IT, all the way from recognising requirements of IT and business to maintaining and delivering the levels of service in a state of focused review and improvement. This holistic approach enhances the overall customer experience and integration of work.To help understand the nuances better, let us explore ITIL® V3 Foundation Vs. ITIL® V4 Foundation.ITIL® V3, which is also popularly referred to as ITIL® 2011, was the latest version before the upgrade to ITIL® V4. The new version introduced the process of the Business Relationship Management (BRM) process but other than that, most of the other elements remain the same.  An important change was that it was easier to read and many of the inconsistencies were edited out. ITIL® V4 uses newer techniques to align IT with a more evolved level of efficiency and effectiveness. It is now possible to align ITIL® with other existing methods such as IT4IT, Agile, DevOps, and Lean.Even with ITIL® V4, the essential elements of ITIL® V3 remain the same. ITIL® V4 just ensures the inclusion of additional best practices and easier integration.ITIL® V4 encourages lesser siloes, more collaboration and encourages communication across the whole organization with the integration of Agile, Lean and DevOps into ITSM strategies. It is made to be more flexible and customizable than ITIL® V3 i.e. more holistic.By investing in a training course and implementing ITIL®, you can expect the following things:Enhanced understanding of the customers which aid in delivering better services, long term relationships, and a sound reputation.A developer guide on predicting and reacting to customer service engagement, complaints, and experience.Increased productivity and better management of resources by focusing on the cost-benefit analysis.Risk mitigation and management.Stabilized environment for better alignment of IT and other divisions of your business.Reduced incidences of service failures.A growth in opportunities to network and collaborate with similar business models.Enhanced value of the organisation’s service portfolio.Agile adaptation to new technologies and comply faster to changing needs of the digital worldDirect rise in chances of an improved bottom line in your revenue statements.Thus, through this, it is clear that ITIL® is almost inevitable for business and must be implemented within organisations who wish to keep evolving with the times and achieve their ever-changing goals with the help of IT.To wrap it up, ITIL® is not just a straightforward skills course in IT. It equips the candidate with the requisite resources to apply the knowledge gained to the larger scope of their organization and align with business practices. This means that the candidate would have a practical hold over the best practices, especially when addressing all facets of IT management.
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How Do I Maintain My PMP® Certification?

Did you get PMP® certified? Congratulations! It is not an easy feat to go through all the hard work in order to get your PMP® certification. But your credential is valid for only three years. You must participate in the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program of PMI to keep your credentials active.As a PMP® credential holder, it is recommended by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to earn 60 PDUs (Professional Development Units) every three years. The CCR program encourages every PMP® certified professional to undergo educational and professional development activity. One PDU is equivalent to one hour of time that you spend in a Professional Development activity. There are multiple ways to earn these PDUs.Maintain your PMP® certification with CCR and PDUsEarning your PMP® certification is a big step but maintaining it should not be a big issue for you. The Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program offered by PMI is designed for you to grow and develop the skills that organisations are seeking in the present market scenario and at the same time you can maintain your certification status.CCR is an easy-to-use online tool through which you can report your PDUs. The Professional Development Units (PDUs) can be calculated in blocks of one hour of time that you spend by learning, teaching others, or volunteering. You can maintain your PMP® certification status with PMI by accumulating and tracking these PDUs over a three-year period.You need to earn 60 PDUs in order to maintain your PMP® certification exam. You can claim the required PDUs in two forms. They are:EducationGiving backPMP® Certification renewal feesOnce you meet the PDU requirements of CCR, you can complete the renewal process of your credential at any point of the cycle. You will receive an electronic notification to apply for PMP® certification renewal after PMI confirms that you have met the PDU requirements. You will be directed to submit the renewal fee payment on the online certification system as soon as you receive the notification. You should keep in mind that you must submit the payment in no later than 90 days after your cycle end date.The CCR renewal fee for members and non-members are as follows:PMI Membership StatusCCR Renewal FeePMI member$60Non-member$150Ways to earn PDUs through Educational activities - PMI Talent Triangle™`Research shows that the ideal skill set which the practitioners need to possess should comprise of technical, leadership, and strategic and business management competency. This is called the PMI Talent Triangle™. These competencies can be explained as:Technical project management: This competency comprises of the knowledge, skills, and behaviors related to specific domains of Project, Program, and Portfolio Management.Leadership: This competency comprises of the knowledge, skills, and behavior specific to leadership-oriented, cross-cutting activities that help an organisation to achieve its business goal.Strategic and business management: This competency includes the knowledge and expertise required in the industry or an organisation that enhances performance and delivers the business outcomes in a better way.The courses and activities included under the three components of the PMI Talent Triangle™ for the candidates to meet the 60 PDU bundle requirement prescribed by PMI are as follows:TechnicalLeadershipStrategic and Business ManagementLife Cycle ManagementCoaching & MentoringCustomer relationship & satisfactionTime, Scope, Risk ManagementProblem SolvingBenefits RealisationEstimationTeam BuildingLegal & Regulatory complianceAgile PracticesEmotional IntelligenceStrategic planning & analysisGovernanceConflict ManagementOperational FunctionsData gathering and modelingBrainstormingBusiness acumenEarned value managementInfluencingCompetitive analysisPerformance ManagementListeningMarket awarenessInterpersonal skillsBusiness models and structuresYou can choose from one of the following options under Education in order to earn the 35 PDUs under the CCR program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®:1. Course or TrainingThe courses or training refers to the Instructor-led formal education courses or classes held in-person or online. Taking up the educational training courses is one of the effective and traditional ways to learn. You can choose the best-suited option from the plethora of options offered by PMI and third-party providers across the globe to earn 1 PDU of every hour of instruction:Training courses offered by a PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P)Face-to-face and instructor-led courses from PMI SeminarsWorld®Educational events held by PMI chapterAcademic education through programs accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center (GAC)Courses offered by other third-party providersE-learning On Demand courses.2. Organisation MeetingsThe activities, meetings, and local events are referred to as organisation meetings which provide you with an opportunity to learn and network with the other professionals. You can earn 1 to 2 PDUs by attending the events organised by PMI throughout the year.3. Online or Digital MediaThis comprises of the self-paced learning conducted online or through varied forms of digital media. You can customise your learning and educational opportunities according to your needs and suitability with the help of technology. There are numerous educational webinars, videos, and other types of digital content available online and on demand. You can earn 1 PDU by attending 1 hour of learning. The opportunities available through these resources are as follows:ProjectManagement.comPMI Online CoursesPMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s).4. ReadDid you know that you can earn PDUs for your CCR by reading? Yes, you can do that through self-directed reading that is relevant to your PMP® certification. Reading is one of the valuable components of learning and there are numerous reading resources available that is related to the profession. You can choose from articles, books, whitepapers, or blogs to keep yourself updated in order to support your ongoing professional development.5. Informal LearningYou can also earn PDUs to maintain your PMP® certification by taking part in educational opportunities which focus on structured discussions. Sometimes, you get to learn from interaction with others. Also, 1 hour of learning under informal learning is equivalent to 1 PDU.Ways to earn PDUs by giving back to the professionYou can expand your knowledge and skills both personally and professionally while earning your PDUs to maintain your PMP® certification by giving back to the profession. This can prove to be a unique and great way to expand your horizons.Choose from the following ways to earn your PDUs by giving back to the profession:1. Work as a PractitionerYou can claim 8 PDUs per cycle by working as a practitioner and working in a domain area related to your certification. This enables you to apply your skills and knowledge in a practical setting. It also allows you to contribute to sustaining and growing the profession. These PDUs are only applicable to your current cycle and cannot be transferred.2. Create ContentDid you know that you can give back to the profession by creating content? Yes, you can earn PDUs to maintain your PMP® certification by creating new knowledge resources for practitioners as well as the public at large. You can share your insight and knowledge with others and contribute to their ongoing learning by developing knowledge resources. You can earn 1 PDU by spending 1 hour on creating content and can create new content in the following ways:Authoring booksWriting articles or blogsCreating webinars or presentations.3. Giving a PresentationThere are many occasions like PMI chapter event, professional conference, or within your organisation where you can give a formal presentation to others and share the knowledge which you have gained during your PMP® certification journey. You can earn 1 PDU by spending 1 hour in giving a presentation.4. Share KnowledgeYou can help others learn and grow by sharing your domain knowledge. You also contribute towards the growth of the profession and enhance the practices that are essential to your certified role by sharing your skills with others. Even if you are involving yourself in mentoring, teaching, or applying your subject matter knowledge towards an activity, but others will be benefited from your experience and perspective.5. VolunteerPMI has an active community of thousands of volunteers who offer their support to the Institute and the profession by working in a wide range of roles. You can earn PDUs to maintain your PMP® certification by offering your domain-related services as a volunteer to non-employer or non-client organisations. 1 hour of volunteer service is equivalent to 1 PDU.Volunteering options offered by PMIAre you trying to figure out a volunteering option to meet your CCR? There are numerous ways in which you can advance your career by contributing to PMI as a volunteer. These volunteering opportunities encompass a wide range of skills, interests, and goals.PMI helps you to search for volunteering opportunity easily around the world with the help of their Volunteer Relationship Management System (VRMS). So, pick the right opportunity for you from the following options:PMI Board of DirectorsBoard Support CommitteesPMI Educational Foundation (PMIEF)Member Advisory Groups (MAGs)Region MentorsStandards CommitteesExam Development VolunteersPMI Awards EvaluatorsPresenters at PMI EventsPMI Publication Reviewers (Knowledge Shelf, Bookstore reviewers, Project Management Journal® reviewers)Chapter Volunteers.PMI Local ChaptersBecome a member of your local PMI Chapter by paying a registration fee of $129 and a joining fee of $10 and take advantage of the knowledge and networking offered by it. The benefits of joining the local PMI Chapter are as follows:1. Get access to the inner circle of local Project ManagersGrow your network with the other professionals who are driving the field of project management forward. The group might vary from those who have just started to those at the top of their careers.2. Get easy access to exclusive events and seminarsAttend the chapter meetups and special guest talks to learn about the approach to facing new challenges from the professionals who have overcome similar obstacles in the past.3. Discover relevant job opportunitiesGet an opportunity to build your network with the local Project Management Professionals and get connections in companies located in your area to find new opportunities.To wrap it upEvery professional has got different goals and interests, in the same way, there are different types of requirements across various industries. As you have read above, PMI offers a plethora of opportunity to you in order to meet the CCR program, enabling you to explore new options and new avenues.You can choose the opportunities from education and giving back to the profession that suits you the best in order to fulfill the 60 PDU requirements to maintain your PMP® certification. You can read more about the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) by clicking here. Going further, getting a PMI membership exposes you to multiple opportunities which you can take in order to meet your CCR requirements.
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All You Need To Know About PDUs Under PMI Talent Triangle™

Earning a PMP® certification is a big step in your professional growth. But that’s not the end of your PMP® certification journey. You need to renew your credentials every three years in order to continue being PMP® certified by meeting the PDU requirements under PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR).  The increasingly competitive and complex global market demands more than technical skills from you. Companies seek added skills in business intelligence and leadership to meet long-term strategic objectives. The PMI Talent Triangle™ involves the ideal skill set and is a combination of technical, leadership, and strategic and business management expertise. You must develop these employer-demanded skills to stay relevant and competitive in the current market scenario.This blog will discuss how you can maintain the required PDUs under the CCR program by acquiring all the competencies mentioned under the PMI Talent Triangle™.PMI Talent Triangle™ and PDUsPMI continuously tries to keep its project management certifications relevant to the industry and organisation needs. And in order to do so, it takes inputs from industry veterans to keep updating the content and pattern of exams. The Project Management Institute (PMI) developed and announced its Talent Triangle™ in the year 2015. PMI clearly declared the areas of competence that a current-day project manager needs to consider.The combination of skills valued by employers as highlighted by the PMI Talent Triangle™ are technical, leadership, and strategic and business management. This framework plays a pivotal role in your ongoing professional development.The competencies can be defined as follows:1. Technical: This competency comprises of knowledge, skills, and behaviours related to the specific domains of program, project, and portfolio management. It involves the technical aspects of performing your job or role.2. Leadership: This competency comprises of the knowledge, behaviours, and skills involved in the ability to motivate, guide, and direct others to achieve a goal.3. Strategic and Business Management: This competency comprises of the knowledge and expertise within the organisation which helps you to align your team in a way that enhances performance and ensures better delivery of business outcomes.You must renew your PMP® certification after a period of every 3 years. Project Management Institute (PMI) simplifies this process by awarding Professional Development Units (PDUs) which you need to claim by continuing education and giving back to the profession.The Professional Development Units (PDUs) are one-hour blocks of time which you need to claim by learning, teaching others or volunteering. You can maintain your certification status with PMI by accumulating these PDUs over a period of 3 years.You can claim the PDUs for renewing your credentials in two ways, namely, education and giving back to the profession. The PDUs under these categories are as follows:CategoryPDUsEducation35Giving back to the profession25The activities and courses included under the three components of the PMI Talent Triangle™ are as follows:TechnicalLeadershipBusiness & Strategic ManagementLife Cycle ManagementCoaching & MentoringCustomer relationship & satisfactionTime, Scope, Risk ManagementProblem SolvingBenefits RealisationEstimationTeam BuildingLegal & Regulatory complianceAgile PracticesEmotional IntelligenceStrategic planning & analysisGovernanceConflict ManagementOperational FunctionsData gathering and modelingBrainstormingBusiness acumenEarned value managementInfluencingCompetitive analysisPerformance ManagementListeningMarket awarenessInterpersonal skillsBusiness models and structuresThere are numerous options available under education and giving back to the profession which allows you to earn the required PDUs to meet the CCR program confirmed by PMI:CCR Claim CategoryActivity DetailsEducationAttend Course or Training (Physical Classroom/online)EducationOrganisation Meetings (Max 2 PDUs)EducationOnline or Digital MediaEducationOnline or Digital Media Self-Read - Reading Project ManagementEducationInformal learningGiving BackWork as a Practitioner - Working in your certified role (Max 8 PDUs)Giving BackCreate content - Creating new knowledge resourcesGiving BackGiving presentationsGiving BackShare Knowledge - Mentoring, Teaching, Allying KnowledgeGiving BackVolunteer - At PMI or other not for profit organisationThe educational activities are aligned with the areas under the PMI Talent Triangle™ by spending at least 8 hours of effort or claim 8 PDUs for each one of Technical, leadership, and strategic areas. Do you need more clarification on the PDUs distributed across all the three areas?The following chart will give you more clarity:Activities in Giving BackPDUs to maintain your PMP® certificationCreate Content - Creating new knowledge resources, giving presentation, and share knowledge25 (Maximum)Volunteer - At PMI or other not for profit organisation25 (Maximum)Work as a Practitioner - Working in your certified role8 (Maximum)Total PDUs for giving back25Ways to earn PDUs through EducationYou can earn PDUs under the CCR program by choosing from numerous opportunities and ways provided by PMI. They are:1. Course or training: You can earn PDUs by participating in educational training courses, which is a traditional and effective way to continue your learning. Earn 1 PDU by attending 1 hour of course or training and you need to report each course separately.2. Organisation meetings: PMI chapters and other third parties host professional meetings throughout the year on a local basis. These meetings include educational components and provide you with the opportunity to learn and network. PDUs which you can earn by participating in the organisational meetings are typically limited to 1 to 2.3. Online or digital media: There are numerous online educational webinars, videos, and other types of digital content which are available online and on demand. Technology allows you to customise your learning and educational opportunities according to your schedule and needs. Every hour of learning is equivalent to 1 PDU.4. Read: You can stay informed and support your ongoing professional development by reading books, articles, whitepapers, or blogs. Reading is a valuable component of learning and you can find countless reading materials related to PMP® certification. You earn 1 PDU with every hour of learning.5. Informal learning: Engage yourself in professional discussions with other PMP® professionals and earn PDUs while getting mentored or participating in a “lunch and learn” session with your organisation. 1 hour of learning is equivalent to 1 PDU.Ways to earn PDUs by giving back to the professionIn order to meet the required PDUs under the CCR program, you need to choose from one of the following ways or opportunities offered by PMI under the category of giving back to the profession:1. Work as a Practitioner: You can apply your knowledge and skills in a practical setting and use these competencies actively in order to contribute towards sustaining and growing the profession. You can earn a maximum of 8 PDUs which can be claimed per cycle.2. Create Content: You can create new content by authoring books, blogs or articles, or creating webinars or presentations to share your knowledge and insight with others and contribute to ongoing learning. You can earn 1 PDU by spending 1 hour creating the content.3. Give a Presentation: There are numerous occasions which would allow you to give a formal presentation to others, and share knowledge that relates to your PMP® certification. You can earn 1 PDU every hour which you spend giving presentation.4. Share Knowledge: Were you aware that you can gain 1 PDU with every hour which you spend sharing knowledge? You grow the profession and enhance the practices that are essential to your certified role by sharing your skills with others. You will benefit others with your experience and perspective by choosing to mentor, teaching, or applying your subject matter knowledge towards an activity. With every hour that you spend sharing knowledge, you can earn 1 PDU.5. Volunteer: You can serve as a volunteer on a PMI committee or team and support the institute and the profession in a wide range of roles. You can also volunteer your domain-related services to other non-profit organisations. With each hour of volunteer service, you can earn 1 PDU.Report your PDUs using CCRSThe most efficient way to record your PDUs is by using the Continuing Certification Requirement System (CCRS). It is your responsibility to record your PDU activities as they occur. In order to maintain your active certification status, you must record PDUs and complete the renewal process before your CCR cycle ends. Your certification will be suspended if you do not earn and record the required PDUs within your CCR cycle.CCR ProcessDo you want to know, how the CCR process works? There are a few key steps that encompass the process of participation in the CCR program. They are:Step 1Earn a PMI certificationYour CCR cycle begins on the day you pass your PMP® exam and lasts for 3 years.Step 2Participate in professional development activitiesYou need to take part in professional development activities in order to earn PDUs.Step 3Record and report PDUsYou need to submit your PDU claims for your certification through the CCR system (CCRS).Step 4Fulfill CCR requirementsYou need to earn enough PDUs in order to meet the CCR requirements for your certification.Step 5Complete CCR application and pay renewal feeYou’ll receive information from PMI for renewal and provide paymentStep 6CCR Renewal CompleteYou need to follow guidelines in order to continue maintaining your certification.To wrap it upAs a PMP® certified professional, you must understand that PMI wants to ensure that PMP® exam is an accurate reflection of the knowledge, tasks, and skills that project management professionals actually need to perform on a daily basis. Further, 20 to 25% of the 200 questions are driven from the new outline changes that come into the picture through the PMI Talent Triangle™. It focuses on aligning the exam questions with the latest project management practices in the market.The Continuing Certification Requirement (CCR) program allows you to maintain your PMP® certification by earning a specific number of PDUs fixed by PMI. You need to fulfill the requirements by undergoing activities and courses under the two categories, namely, education and giving back to the profession. Moreover, you need to align your 35 PDU requirements with the three skill areas under the PMI Talent Triangle™, namely, technical, leadership, and business and strategic management.     
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PMP® Application Process - All You Need to Know About It

Do you meet the eligibility criteria to sit for the upcoming PMP® certification exam? If yes, then you should begin your PMP® application process as soon as possible. As you have begun preparing for the PMP® exam, you must have got to know by now that the application process for PMP® exam seems to be very overwhelming. If you are yet to complete the training and gain the required contact hours to qualify the standards set by PMI then you should do it before you go ahead with the application process.It will be a relief for you to know that the application filing process for the PMP® exam is pretty straightforward, although, you might take some time to collect a few of the required information. You can choose between either online or filling a printable form to begin your application process. If you opt for the offline version then you need to send the form via courier, whereas, the online version is an instantaneous process.6 steps to fill your PMP® application formThe online form is the simplest and easiest way to begin the application process for your PMP® certification journey. The following steps are surely going to simplify your efforts while filling up your PMP® application form:1. Create a free account at PMI.orgThe PMP® certification exam application process begins with creating a free PMI account. Follow these steps to create your account:Click on ‘Login/Register’ at the top right corner once you go to http://www.pmi.org/.Click on ‘CREATE ACCOUNT’ and follow the on-screen instructions for creating your account.Then you need to wait for the follow-up mail to arrive in order to confirm your registration and then log in to your account.2. Fill the PMP® application formThe application form is divided into three sections, which are:First section: In this section, you need to provide your general information.Second section: In the next section, you need to provide your project management experience.Third section: Finally, you need to provide the details of your 35 contact hours training program in this section.Is that too much information to provide? Fret not, you can fill up the application form in multiple sittings. But you should remember that once you start filling your application form, you must complete and submit it within 90 days.You should ensure that the information provided in the PMP® application form is accurate and correct, or else, it would be very difficult for you to change the same once you submit the application. So, you should revise all the information twice before you submit it to PMI.3. Application completeness reviewThe Project Management Institute (PMI) uses email as a means to communicate all the information regarding your application status. It takes around 5 to 7 working days for PMI to complete reviewing your application once you submit it.4. Paying the examination feeOnce your application is reviewed and accepted, you receive a confirmation email from PMI. You will also be asked to make the payment for the PMP® certification exam. You need to pay $555 as an exam fee for your PMP® certification exam, but you can bring down this cost to $405 by becoming a PMI member.5. PMP® AuditA crucial stage for every PMP® aspirant is to make through the PMP® audit. However, PMI picks a small set of applicants randomly for the audit. This stage is followed by the submission of your PMP® application. Once you are selected for an audit, PMI will ask you to provide copies of certificates supporting your experience, contact hours training program information, education certificates, etc. Finally, you need to submit these documents and PMI will take approximately one week to review your documents.Once PMI is convinced with the information provided you, they will approve your application. After that, you can proceed to pay the fees for your PMP® exam.6. Schedule the PMP® examOnce you pay the examination fee, PMI will send you an eligibility code through an email. You need to use this unique code to schedule your PMP® exam through the Prometric site. You should keep in mind that you will have only one year to pass the exam from the date of receiving the code. Further, you can only take three maximum number of attempts.You should also note that you will only have 90 days to submit the documents to the PMI in order to complete the audit process. Also, your eligibility period will start from the day your audit is cleared.Schedule your PMP® exam through Prometric in 8 stepsThe easiest and quickest way to schedule your PMP® certification exam is by logging in to www.prometric.com. Once you log in, follow these steps to candidature for your exam:Step 1: Once you log in to the Prometric website, you need to choose the name of the test sponsor from the list and then you need to click on ‘Search’. Project Management Institute (PMI) is the test sponsor for the PMP® certification exam.Step 2: In the next stage you will find yourself in the PMI’s page in Prometric where you need to click on ‘SCHEDULE MY TEST’.Step 3: Once you do that, you will land on a page which gives you the option of choosing your country and state.Step 4: After choosing the country of your domicile, you will land on a page with all the information about the PMP® exam. You will find information of eligibility for PMP® exam, accommodations, documents to be carried along for the test, time of arrival to the exam center, rescheduling and cancellation policy, and online scheduling of the exam.Step 5: The next page consists of information regarding the privacy policy set by PMI for all the PMP® aspirants. Agreeing to these clauses will lead you to the next page.Step 6: You need to enter your Eligibility ID received from PMI along with the first four letters of your last name in this page.Step 7: Once the information provided by you matches, you will need to choose the date and time of your choice to appear for your PMP® certification exam. Moreover, this page will allow you to know the available options to choose the date and time of your exam.Step 8: The verification process is over once you choose your test center and provide the other additional information.How to choose the right projects for your PMP® application?Only 20% of the PMP® aspirants are selected for the PMI audit. To make it simple, you need the signatures of the stakeholders on the project description, information, and your role in the project to meet the requirements of the audit. The following points will surely prove to be helpful for you while choosing the right projects for your PMP® application:If you need to make a choice from multiple projects, it will be a wise option on your end to specify the projects and stakeholders for which you can easily acquire the formal approval when you are chosen for the audit.Another point which you should keep in mind is that you need to use PMI terminology as you are applying for a PMP® certification. Few good examples of the same are planning, lessons learned, updating business documents, and process assets.You can’t fake any information which is not accurate in your application. First, it is against the PMI code of ethics and second, if PMI finds the information to be wrong in its audit process then that is the end to your application and certification.Few things to avoid in your PMP® applicationAs mentioned above, applying for PMP® certification is a very straightforward process, but you need to consider a few dos and don’ts while filling your PMP® certification application. They are as follows:While specifying the contact information, you need to ensure the availability of someone in that location to receive your PMP® Certificate or any kind of communication received from PMI in a physical form.You need to check the availability of contact information for each project before you give the reference of the same. That’s because, if your application is picked for the audit then you have to take the signature from the reference that you state in the application as a proof of your provided information.You need to have the copies of all your education qualification certificate and have access to the certificate for your 35 contact hours. You might need these for audit too.PMI MembershipIt is highly recommended but optional for you to become a PMI member that might prove helpful for you to begin and continue with your PMP® certification journey. The following two reasons can motivate you to go ahead with your active PMI membership:As a PMI member, you will pay $405 for the PMP® certification exam, whereas, you would need to pay $555 as a non-PMI member. Getting a PMI membership will cost you $129 with a joining fee of $10. Keep visiting pmi.org for more recent information about the cost.You can maintain your PMP® certification and obtain PDUs easily with an active PMI membership.PMP® eligibility requirementYou need to meet certain eligibility criteria which have been set by PMI for all the aspirants of PMP® certification. The education and experience requirement set by PMI to sit for the PMP® certification exam are as follows:You need to have a 4-year bachelor degree along with 4500 hours of experience in leading and managing projects.If you have a high school diploma then you need to have 7500 hours of experience in leading and managing projects.Once you fulfill one of the above conditions, you need to fulfill a final prerequisite for your PMP® application which is 35 hours of PMP® training.Let’s wrap it upThe PMP® certification exam process might look a little complicated but it is a very straightforward process. You need to provide correct information about your education, experience, and training programs in order to qualify the PMI audit process. Further, you need to keep the duplicates of all the documents with you while filling your PMP® application form. And once you are selected for an audit, you can send the same documents to the PMI.This blog talks about the steps which you should follow while completing your PMP® application process along with all the steps to confirm your appointment at your nearest Prometric center. These steps will surely guide you to fill up your PMP® application form. Also, keep in mind the dos and don’ts while filling your application so as to avoid any dismay of rejection from PMI regarding your PMP® application.Wish you all the luck for your PMP® certification journey!
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PMP® Application Process - All You Need to Know About It
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How much does a PMP® Certification cost?

 Are you planning to take the PMP® certification exam soon? If yes, you should take the next step by starting with the application process. But before that, you need to have a clear idea about the costs which are included in the process of getting PMP® certified.  PMP® is considered as one of the most valuable and high demand certifications in the project management category. Having a PMP® certification under your belt will introduce you to the world of greater opportunity and lucrative salaries. But PMP® is a tougher exam compared to other certifications and requires more preparation to pass the exam.There are multiple items to consider when you try to find out the cost involved in the PMP® certification process. The PMP® certification costs include the application and exam fees plus any other additional costs associated with preparing for the exam.It is not just about the PMP® Exam feeYou need to pay an amount of $555 as the exam fee to sit for your PMP® certification exam. But you can bring it down to $405 by becoming a PMI member. But this is not the only cost involved in the PMP® certification cost. The costs can further be explained in the following points:1. Become a PMI member:It is not necessary for you to become a PMI member to sit for your PMP® certification exam. But the benefits of getting a membership with PMI is more than the membership fee. The annual membership fee along with the first time registration fee is $139. You can save $150 on the exam fee itself by becoming a PMI member.Apart from the exam fee, you get a free copy of the latest edition of PMBOK® Guide and other standards or guides published by PMI which you need to be thorough with in order to pass the PMP® examination. Further, you can gain the required PMP® PDUs for free by watching the webinars and joining the annual online conferences which are exclusively available for the members.2. PMP® certification exam fee:Once you become a PMI member, you need to pay $405 as the PMP® certification exam fee to take the computer-based exam at your nearest Prometric exam center. But it is $555 for non-members.You can take up the PMP® certification exam three times in the one-year eligibility period. Again, if you are a PMI member, you just need to pay a PMP® re-examination fee of $275 whereas, the non-members need to pay $375.3. PMBOK® Guide:As a PMP® aspirant, you shouldn’t consider only the PMBOK® Guide to be the syllabus of PMP® exam. It is an official reference book for the PMP® exam. It is recommended for every aspirant to read the PMBOK® Guide more than once while you prepare for your PMP® exam. The content of the PMBOK® Guide can be found in the real PMP® exam. The current cost of PMBOK® Guide is $47.98.Got a PMI membership? Then you can download the free copy of the PMBOK® Guide from the PMI website.4. Earning 35 contact hours by attending the Project Management Training Course:You need to complete 35 hours of project management course work to sit for the PMP® exam. Taking up a Project Management Training Course can help you to earn these 35 contact hours. The cost of these courses ranges based on the training provider. You need to spend around $1,000 to meet this requirement.5. PMP® exam reference books:As you know that PMP® certification exam consists of a complex exam pattern and you need to be well prepared to clear it at one go. You can get access to reference books both in hard copy and online. These resources contain tons of project management knowledge which proves helpful while you prepare for your PMP® exam.6. Practice Exams and Mock Tests:Taking PMP® sample exams plays a pivotal role in your PMP® exam preparation. These mock tests and practice exams prove as a good resource to test your readiness for the exam. Further, these mock tests will help you understand the techniques of time management which is an important factor while writing your PMP® certification exam.7.Renewing your credentials:You can’t stop your quest once you get your PMP® certification. Your PMP® certification is only valid for three years and you need to renew your credentials before it gets invalid. So, you need to pay $150 to renew your credential every three years. However, you can bring down this cost to $60 by becoming a PMI member.Confused? The following chart will help you to get a clear understanding of the costs involved in your PMP® certification:Sl. No.PMP® Certification Cost (Different Cost Aspects)Costs1PMI Membership fee along with joining fee$1392PMI Membership renewal fee$129 per year3PMP® Certification Exam fee for PMI members$4054PMP® Certification Exam fee for non-members$5555Rescheduling fee for PMI members$2756Rescheduling fee for non-members$3757PMBOK® handbook cost for membersFree8PMBOK® handbook cost for non-members$50 on Amazon9Cost of study guides and resources$40 to $10010Cost of practice tests$60 to $10011Renewal cost of PMP® certification for PMI members$6012Renewal cost of PMP® certification for non-members$150Online PMP® trainingWon’t it be great if you get access to PMP® certification training from your preferred location? You can make it possible by opting for online PMP® certification training. The e-learning course provided by the R.E.P.s give you access to innumerable mock tests and exam revisions. Few of the features of such courses are as follows:35 PDUs on completion of 35 hours of e-learning15 audio-visual modules covering all course topics from PMBOK® Guide13 hours of online contentPMP® eBook in downloadable format and PMP® exam blueprintA question bank on all knowledge areasTips and tricks to pass PMP® in the first attempt.PMI Talent Triangle™ BundleYou need to continue your learning and development in order to maintain your PMP® certification. The PMI® has set a 60 PDU requirement which you are expected to meet in order to continue your PMP® journey. As a PMP® certification aspirant, won’t you be happy to get all the course which you need to fulfill your PDU requirements in a bundle? You need to earn 35 PDUs in the Education category and meet the following minimum requirements, as per the PMI Talent Triangle™  skill areas:Education PDUs - Minimum Talent Triangle RequirementsCertificationTechnical PDUs RequiredLeadership PDUs RequiredStrategic PDUs RequiredRemaining PDUs - across any area of PMI Talent TriangleTotal Minimum RequiredPMP8881135The activities and courses included in the three components of the PMI Talent Triangle™ are as follows:TechnicalLeadershipBusiness & Strategic ManagementLife Cycle ManagementCoaching & MentoringCustomer relationship & satisfactionTime, Scope, Risk ManagementProblem SolvingBenefits RealisationEstimationTeam BuildingLegal & Regulatory complianceAgile PracticesEmotional IntelligenceStrategic planning & analysisGovernanceConflict ManagementOperational FunctionsData gathering and modelingBrainstormingBusiness acumenEarned value managementInfluencingCompetitive analysisPerformance ManagementListeningMarket awarenessInterpersonal skillsBusiness models and structuresThe best way to earn 35 contact hours of PMP® trainingYou can get access to PMP® certification training in three different methods. They are classroom training, instructor-led training, and self-learning method. All the mentioned modes have their own pros and cons, but self-learning is considered as the cheapest of all the three courses.You can choose between self-learning mode or instructor-led mode to take your online training. There are numerous R.E.P.s in the market who provide such training and help you attain 35 contact hours to fulfill the PMI requirements.You should consider the following important factors while searching for the best online platform for your PMP® certification training:Is the training provider a registered training body?Will you be provided with 35 hours certificate?Is the training provided in English?What is the duration of the eLearning access?Salary of a PMP® certified professionalAfter knowing about all the costs which you need to bear in order to get PMP® certified, won’t you love to know about what lies ahead of it? Here are five jobs for project management professionals in the US with the highest paid salaries.1. Pharmaceutical project management professionalA Pharmaceutical Project Manager works with researchers, doctors, and engineers to ensure that the research and development stay on schedule and on budget. He or she is responsible for overseeing the development of new medication for the treatment of diseases and other health problems. The average annual salary of a Pharmaceutical Project Manager based in the US is $131,833.2. Resources project management professionalA Resources Project Manager works toward making the process of extracting and growing natural resources by working with farmers, mining, and oil companies and eliminating waste as well as improving communication. He or she looks into the procurement of natural resources for efficient delivery to end consumers. The average annual salary of the Resources Project Manager based in the US is around $129,368.3. Consulting project management professionalFrom environmental engineers to sales managers, a Consulting Project Manager works at all the levels of the industry and they work on a case-to-case basis. He or she works with the goal to furnish industry expertise and advanced knowledge to the client in order to lead their project to success. A Consulting Project Manager earns an annual average salary of $129,208 in the US.4. Aerospace project management professionalThe job description of an Aerospace Project Manager includes working with designers and engineers to ensure the delivery of the new aircraft on time and on budget. His or her focus areas include quality control and risk management. The average annual salary of the Aerospace Project Manager based in the US is $121,923.5. Engineering project management professionalAn Engineering Project Manager communicates with clients to ensure the quality of the end product as demanded by the client. The annual salary of the Engineering Project Manager based in the US is $121,769 per annum.To concludeAs you can see, the PMP® certification involves a lot of other costs other than the exam cost itself. There is a cost involved in all the processes which you need to go through in order to get PMP® certified. But these costs can vary from person to person and the country you are residing in. Further, adding a PMP® certification to your collar exposes you to better career opportunities and higher salaries.
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How much does a PMP® Certification cost?
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How much does a PMP® Certification cost?

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Benefits of Having a PMI Membership

Are you planning to get a PMP® certification? Getting a PMI membership exposes you to certain benefits which help you to maneuver your PMP® journey with ease. Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world’s leading project management organisation with over 500,000 Global Members and over 300 Local Chapters Internationally.PMI membership shows your dedication to your project management career and your professional development. Your PMI  membership at the local PMI Chapter allows you to expand your network by attending various events conducted by the chapter. These events offer you an opportunity to attend a variety of sessions including informal meet-ups. Moreover, you can collaborate with like-minded individuals to create and share consumable tools, content, and resources.Types of memberships offered by PMIBefore we dive into the benefits of PMI  membership, let’s take a quick glimpse of the types of benefits offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMI  offers the following three types of membership:1. Individual Membership:Individual membership is available at an initial cost of $129 plus a $10 registration fee. Once a member, annual membership renewal costs $129.2. Student Membership:Student membership is available for current students with valid identification. The initial cost of student membership is $32 plus a registration fee of $10. Annual renewals costs $32.3. Retiree membership:Did you retire from active employment? If you were a PMI member for at least five consecutive years, you can still continue your PMI membership by paying a renewal fee of $65 per year.10 Benefits of having a PMI  membershipAs some may question the value of PMI  membership, one would surely like to ensure the worth of the fee which you pay to become a PMI member. As a PMP® certification  aspirant, you can reap great benefits from your PMI membership.You can access your membership benefits by logging in to pmi.org and click on the myPMI tab. Once you click on the ‘dashboard’ link, you will find a ‘Knowledge Resources’ section in the right-hand column. You just need to select PMI  publications and access the online version of the PMI standards.Some of the benefits of PMI  membership are:1. PMP® Certification Exam Fees SavingsPMI members qualify for the members pricing of the PMP® exam feels at a cost of $405. The cost for non-members is $555. Taking into consideration the PMI membership costs of $139, you will be looking at savings in the exam fees in addition to the other benefits of the membership.2. Free Access to PMI Standards and PublicationsAs a PMI member, you get access to electronic copies of all standards published by PMI . As a member, you can download an electronic copy (PDF) of these resources from the Library of PMI Global Standards. If you are a PMP® certification aspirant then you can download a free copy of the latest edition of PMBOK® Guide which is an essential document for your PMP® certification journey.The standards published by PMI  include:    A. Foundation StandardsA Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge PMBOK® Guide - Latest EditionThe Standard for Portfolio Management - Third EditionOrganizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3®) - Third EditionThe Standard for Project Management - Third Edition.    B. Practice Standards and FrameworksPractice Standard for Earned Value Management - Second EditionPractice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures - Second EditionPractice Standard for Project Risk ManagementPractice Standard for Project Configuration ManagementPractice Standard for Scheduling - Second EditionPractice Standard for Competency Development Framework - Second EditionPractice Standard for Project Estimating.    C. PMI Standards ExtensionGovernment Extension to the PMBOK® Guide Third EditionSoftware Extension to the PMBOK® Guide Fifth EditionConstruction Extension to the PMBOK® Guide Third Edition.3. Access to Various Research PapersBeing an honored member of PMI, you get free access to numerous research papers published by PMI. Moreover, you can avail the paid papers at discounted rates.4. PMI MarketplacePMI  Marketplace gives you access to numerous project management related books and hard copies of all PMI  standards which you can buy at a discounted price.5. Career Central and HeadquartersAs a PMI member, you get access to a vast collection of resources under Career Central and Career Headquarter of PMI  for your career growth. These resources provide you guidance from building your resume to acquiring new skills and keeping yourself updated on the latest trends. You can also submit your resume here and search for jobs.6. PM Network and PMI TodayAs a PMI member, you are entitled to receive free monthly copies of PM Network and PMI today, magazines published by PMI. These magazines are either delivered to your doorstep or you can receive them in the form of email for free.Update yourself with the latest happenings on the world of project management and across the PMI  local chapters with these magazines. You can increase your knowledge with the interviews, case studies, and in-depth articles available in these magazines.7. Project Management JournalProject Management Journal is a research journal published by PMI. You are entitled to get a copy of the journal as a PMI  member. It gets published five times a year and will help you to get a clear understanding of program, project, and portfolio management.8. PMI Chapter MeetingsOnce you join the local PMI chapter and acquire the PMI  membership, you get an opportunity to participate in every local chapter meeting at discounted prices or sometimes it’s free.9. NetworkingOne of the most amazing benefits that you can avail as a PMI  member is networking. As a PMI member, you can avail the opportunity to connect with professionals through Communities of Practice or in PMI  chapter meetings. These events give you a great opportunity to learn by connecting with professionals.These connections will surely help you to prepare for your PMP® certification exam or this can help you to land up in a good job.10. Free PDUsPMI  membership can give you an opportunity to earn unlimited numbers of Category-A PDUs by watching free webinars. Moreover, these will be automatically reported to PMI and you don’t have to report these to PMI by yourself.PMI Local ChaptersDo you know your nearest PMI Local Chapter? Join your nearest PMI Local Chapter and take advantage of the knowledge and networking available over there. These Chapters are spread across the world and can be segregated in zones. The zones are:Asia PacificEurope, Middle East, AfricaLatin AmericaNorth AmericaThe Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR)The Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program of PMI supports your ongoing professional and educational development so that you can always be prepared to meet the demands of today’s complex business environment. The purpose of the CCR program are as follows:Promote continuous learning and development among the certification holdersEnsure the relevancy of certified practitioners by providing direction in the development areasRecognise and encourage individualised learning opportunitiesSustain the value of PMI  credentials and global recognitionIf you hold a PMI certification then it is compulsory for you to maintain your certification by participating in the CCR program in order to renew your certification every 3 years. You need to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) by taking part in various professional development and learning activities in order to fulfill the continuing certification requirements.How can you earn PDUs to meet the CCR requirements?You should maintain your PMI certification once you get one. The PDUs required to maintain your certification by meeting the CCR requirements can be earned through various professional development activities that center one of the following areas:   1. Education: It can be defined as learning opportunities which allow you to enhance and expand your leadership, strategic, or technical           and business management skills.   2. Giving back to the profession: It can be defined as a set of activities that enable you to share and utilise your skills and knowledge in         order to contribute and help to build the profession.The PDU distribution for both categories in order to meet the CCR requirements for your PMP® certification are as follows:CategoriesPDUs you can earnEducation35Giving back to the profession25There are many ways to earn PDUs under both categories. You can choose from a plethora of development activities which are conducted for you to meet your CCR requirement. The activities are as follows:EducationCourse or trainingOrganisation meetingOnline or Digital mediaReadingInformal learningGiving back to the professionWork as a PractitionerCreate contentGiving presentationsSharing knowledgeVolunteeringPMI Membership Cycle and RenewalOne of the common queries that prevail among people is that how long is the PMI membership cycle. Your PMI  membership is valid for one year from the date of your membership activation. You can track your membership status in your myPMI profile on PMI.org and can renew the same as soon as 90 days from your expiration date.You can auto-renew your membership by accepting the automatic renewal terms and conditions on the payment screen on PMI.org. But you may opt to turn off this feature and renew your membership each year via phone, mail, or online.What if you fail to renew your membership?Failing to renew your membership before the expiration date of your membership will lead to a discontinuation of your membership benefits, like discounts on certification, additional PDU opportunities, member-only webinars, or maintaining your chapter membership. You can activate the membership automatic renewal feature to ensure continuous access to your membership benefits without interruption.ConclusionThere are numerous benefits which you can reap by becoming a PMI member. These benefits would surely motivate you throughout your PMP® certification journey. But in order to realise these benefits, you need to be involved with them. The membership will give you access to the local chapter meetings and help you out to get an opportunity to interact with other Project Management Professionals (PMP®). This will help you to learn more about the format and challenges of the PMP® examination. Moreover, this will help you in your career growth through communication and networking.The PMI membership also facilitates its members will various courses and activities to meet the PDUs required to meet the CCR program. Attend the seminars or work as a practitioner to earn the 60 PDUs which are required to maintain your PMI  certification.You can also learn about how to earn more PDUs to meet the CCR requirement set by PMI after completion of your PMP® certification here.
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Benefits of Having a PMI Membership
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Benefits of Having a PMI Membership

Are you planning to get a PMP® certification? Get... Read More