December
2019

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

 Chapter President Penelope Luedtke, PMP

Hello!

Before I became a project manager, I worked as an IT Analyst. As any professional would, I envisioned moving up the career ladder where I worked, but I continually fell short when I tried moving out of the “analyst band” of positions. 

When I finally did earn my PMI certification, my income rose dramatically the following year. Since then, I’ve experienced a cumulative 25% increase in my salary. My responsibilities and job functions moved from administrative to managerial; I’ve never regretted my decision to get my PMP certification.

Clearly, certification in my case was a good move and I think it would be for anyone, given the reputation PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) certification enjoys in multiple industries. I took our Chapter’s CAPM/PMP Exam Prep course in 2014 to get ready for the test. I appreciated the organization of the course which closely followed the official PMBOK sections. What I enjoyed most -- and got the most value out of -- was the way each half-day segment of class was presented by a different certified project management professional. 

Each had their own strategies and stories about passing the PMP exam. They provided great tips and tricks and, as I look back, I realize this format is great for all types of learning styles since attendees can self-select the strategy that is most effective for them.  Not that I’m biased (I completely am biased!), but I believe the PMI Portland CAPM/PMP Exam Prep course is an excellent investment in yourself and your career.

PMI Portland will offer its Winter 2020 CAPM/PMP Exam Prep course starting January 18 and its Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Certification course beginning January 25. Be sure to register as soon as you can as these classes tend to fill up quickly and space is limited.

I’d like to ask for another investment from you – a few minutes of your time to answer our PMI Portland Member Services survey. Our Board wants to serve you as effectively as possible. We need to know what you want from your membership and involvement with us. Your feedback will help us create and deliver services, products, and events relevant to our members.  A few minutes of your time will help us shape PMI Portland’s future. 

You should have received a survey invite via email in the past week. It should only take a few moments to complete and will provide immeasurable benefits to the Chapter. Plus, everyone who responds by December 18 -- and leaves us their name and email -- has a chance to have their name selected for our drawing for a complimentary registration for one of our Chapter professional development offerings. 

Penelope Luedtke, PMP
President, PMI Portland Chapter 

ARTICLES

Toast the Holidays with PMI

"Take a break and chill because this is the time of the year to rejoice, celebrate."

 — Anonymous

Chapter Meeting | December 17, 2019 —  Kick Back with Colleagues

PMI Portland wants to share the season with our members and guests at our December Chapter meeting. To honor the holidays, we are changing our usual set-up. First, we've invited groups we're newly collaborating with - AgilePDX, Lean Portland and APICS - to join us. Also, we'll start a bit later, with the New Member Orientation running from 5-5:30 p.m. Networking with hors d'oeuvres and a no-host bar begins at 5:30 p.m..

We have a holiday-themed photo booth for you to record the party hijinx and a few fun activities. Plus, visit our sponsor tables to learn about services you can bring to your organization.

PM certification holders will receive one PDU for participating in our post-networking exercise. “Birds of a Feather” offers participants an opportunity to flock toward affinity groups (e.g., industry or PM Focus such as Agile, Lean, Traditional) to exchange wisdom on their successes and challenges and create new connections. We’ll provide a few questions to get the conversations started. (Have an idea to share? Contact president@pmi-portland.org.

Plus an added bonus. Tickets are only $10 per person! There are only 150 slots available, so register now.

Enhance Your Marketability with PM Certifications

By Julie Easterly, PMP

Organizations give a leg up in the hiring process to professionals with a breadth of experience and training. The Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certifications are globally recognized, and the Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) credential enhances marketability in the workplace as well. Achieving certification demonstrates that you not only understand the primary elements of managing projects but that you can apply the process, planning and execution skills necessary to pass a notoriously difficult test!

We’re excited to start the new year offering two courses that will enrich your knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques used in effective project management. 

PMP/CAPM Course

PMI Portland’s six-week PMP/CAPM* Exam Prep course is aimed at those who have not yet taken (or need to retake) the PMI Project Management Professional or Associate certifications.  Students will receive a copy of the PMI PMBOK (6th) edition, a complete set of study materials from Velociteach, and access to online practice exams that simulate the exam environment. The course also provides:

• Study tips and strategies for sitting for the 2020 exams;
• Practical application and analysis of project management body of knowledge;
• Networking and study group opportunities;
• An avenue to build your confidence to successfully pass the exam and become a PM professional.

This course runs 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., each Saturday, January 18-February 22, 2020. Register here.

ACP Certification Course

Want to set the bar for continual improvement? Does your employer want to improve productivity? Can you lead a team that will work together to provide solutions? The Agile project management framework focuses on the customer, with continuous improvement and team input front and center. Completing the application to sit for the exam, as well as passing it, is rigorous. This 3-day preparation course will help you prepare for -- and pass -- the Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) examination, providing 21 hours of instruction, with some homework (21 PDUs for those who already have PMP or PgMP certification!)

Course attendees will:

• Understand key concepts needed to pass the PMI-ACP exam;
• Learn the terminology for different agile frameworks and methods;
• Learn to read burn-down charts or other radiators to determine the health of agile projects;
• Participate in hands-on exercises to further understanding of agile.

The ACP Certification course will run from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. over three Saturdays: January 25, February 1 and February 8. Register here.

Both courses will be held at the University of Portland’s Westside Campus. Questions? Email the Director of PMP Certification.

*You must apply for certification through PMI.org prior to taking the PMP, CAPM or ACP exams. Ensure you meet minimum qualifications and get started on your application today so you can sit for your chosen exam while your learning is fresh!

Professional Development  Key to Career and Personal Growth

By Rachel Crane, PMP

There is a wealth of avenues today to gain professional certifications and continuing professional development. For project management professionals, there are certifications such as PMP, PMI-ACP, and CAPM, to name a few (see previous story about January courses). Then there are continuing education credits that help professionals maintain their credentials and demonstrate that they are committed to ongoing skill development through participation in qualifying educational events.

A quality workshop or longer course can bring major benefits, including:

• Increased marketability, salary growth, and even the likelihood of promotion;
• Improved reputation and self-image. Obtaining the right continuing education and certifications for your industry can have a positive impact on how others perceive you. It can also enhance self-confidence and self-perception;
• Greater personal and professional knowledge. You don’t need to continue building your education and professional certification simply to flag employers’ attention; continuous learning also helps professionals gain necessary competencies, knowledge, and lexicon to advance professionally and personally.

Interested in earning a certification or PDUs through PMI? Learn about the organizations’ diverse certification offerings here: pmi.org/certifications. Details on continuing education opportunities through PMI can be found at pmi.org/certifications/maintain/earn-pdus/education and through our Chapter website at pmi-portland.org/membership/pdu-reporting. 

Have Knowledge to Share?

Submit an article -- or share an idea -- by sending an email to Director of Content Marketing.  

Nominate Someone for PMI Portland Leadership Profile

 Are you or someone you know interested in being interviewed for the PMI Portland newsletter leadership profile? To nominate yourself or a colleague for consideration, please contact our Director of Content Marketing with a few details about your nominee.

EVENTS

Football, Fun, and Networking at Army-Navy Rivalry Event

Six-Week PMP/CAPM Exam Prep | January 18 - February 22, 2020

ACP Certification Course | January 25 - February 8, 2020

See article above for details

Roundtables

Downtown Meeting | December 10 - regular meeting, noon-1 p.m.

PMI-AgilePDX Partner Roundtable | December 12, 7 a.m.

This month's PMI-AgilePDX meeting features J.J. Sutherland, co-author of the national bestselling book Scrum (often a professional’s first look at the framework), to discuss his new book, The Scrum Fieldbook. Join the group via Zoom. Get your Scrum fix without leaving home! 

North Daimler Session | December 19 - regular meeting, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

The Lloyd Center and Vancouver Roundtables are canceled for December due to the holidays. They will resume as usual in January. The Westside Roundtable has shifted to January 9 to accommodate the holiday schedule.

Visit our Roundtable listing for details on all our meetings. 

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COMMUNITY

AgilePDX Hosting December Events

Coffee, Tea, and Table Talk

Is Sunday morning coffee your thing? Lean Coffee in the North will be held Sunday, December 15, at 10 a.m. at Precipio (722 N. Page, Ste. 2). Join a great group of project management-related professionals for animated discussions about overcoming challenges we face, and sharing Agile-inspired stories.

Liberate Your Team's Creativity

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 18, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to join an enthusiastic crowd for AgilePDX@Puppet: Liberating Structures. 

Let's be honest — even within Agile's more collaborative framework, meetings can still often feel like drudgery. Join Lolo Halman as he facilitates participants through a series of Liberating Structures, a set of 33 unique and modular structures that help to unleash a team's creativity and engagement and put an end to boring meetings!. Join us for FREE pizza, soda, and learning! This event is held at Puppet Labs, 308 SW 2nd.

Find all your AgilePDX events at AgilePDX User Group on Meetup. Be sure to register so hosts know to expect you!

Welcome to Our New Bronze Sponsor

PMI Portland is excited to add Append Media to our growing list of sponsors. Append is a custom software studio that builds spreadsheet, database, automation solutions. 

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