Pmp Pdus: is Inexpensive and More Convenient a Bad Thing?

I have read a post where the author – ‘daver’ – asserts that there is a “troubling trend” as there
“There seems to be the wide array of potentially low-value education PDUs that can be earned from certified education providers. These vendors advertisements - found even in PMIs own internal PMP-oriented magazine - are breathless offers of “get your PDUs fast!”, “re-certify quick!”, and “recertification has never been easier!."

I have seen other concerns about the PMP certification mentioned in articles, blogs, and forums, but they have mainly been aimed at the ease of earning the PMP certification itself, asserting that it is too easy. “daver” goes on:

“But is the PMI really doing the right thing by allowing PMPs to recertify so readily with the PDUs that can be picked up at the corner from the guy with stolen watches on display in the other jacket lapel?“

Where is this coming from? What is the basis for his claim that people selling training to earn PDUs are the same guys we see on the corner selling stolen watches? It makes me wonder if this person is trying to create a buzz to sell PDUs at a higher price, and wants to downgrade those who have developed strong value propositions for holders of the PMP certification. I wonder if he is a PMP?

He goes on:

“The PMI recently published that there are over 242,000 certified PMPs (September 2007). If those PMPs are all actively practicing project management for 15 PDUs per three years, then those PMPs need to “buy” another 45 PDUs to complete their certification requirements.

So let’s do the math… This implies that 10.9 million PDU hours need to be “purchased” per three year cycle for these PMPs.

If we assume that half of those hours are satisfied internally by employers, then that leaves about 5.5million PDU hours to be obtained in the “marketplace”.
If the retail cost of 10 PDUs is roughly $350.00USD, then that implies a $1.9Billion marketplace need.

With that kind of money in a market space of easily reused content, it’s no wonder that there are a number of players out there who seem to be offering PDUs for sale rather than continuing education and self-improvement.”

He sounds bitter that someone is making money for their hard work! He does not seem to understand markets and marketing, and certainly does not have an understanding of this market, which he greatly simplifies. And what does he mean by "there are a number of players out there who seem to be offering PDUs for sale rather than continuing education and self-improvement"? Does he not understand that everyone providing training, including the PMI, is SELLING it? Is that a bad thing? Or is he saying that "continuing education and self-improvement" can only be done is there is no profit involved?

Is this crazy? This is outrageous and hilarious! Competition is good! The PMI is encouraging the marketplace to develop better and more efficient ways to advance their professional skills. The problem is that I see no evidence – certainly not from this author – that there has been a decline in the quality of the PDUs earned. I am all for the highest of quality standards, but I also believe in making it available in the most convenient, efficient, and cost effective manner to everyone who is willing to work for it.

PMPs are professionals, and they are people! They have lives, families, expenses, times constraints, budgets… I think it is great that there are options for these people to spend less money and time, and do it in more convenient ways, to earn their PDUs. Providers of services that come up with a better way are helping to SOLVE the problem. In my opinion, the author quoted – his post: “PMP PDUs: diminishing value sham or real professional development?” – is not being part of the solution, and really is not even effectively describing a problem!
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John Reiling, PMP
Project Management Training Online
Lean Six Sigma Training Online