PMD Pro (Project Management for Development Professionals)

guidance, training and certification

 Professional guidance and specialized certification
scheme for project professionals operating in the
development sector.

Guidance available as free download.

Training available via accredited partners.

Level 1 & 2 certification available, starting at just $22.

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 PMD Pro

PMD Pro Guide Approved Training Online Certification

Official guidance via PM4NGOs partners Level 1 & 2

Published by PM4NGOs Accredited to offer Syllabus & exams

Free to download approved training services developed by APMG

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 Developed in partnership with PM4NGOs – an international NGO that promotes and
sustains the professionalism of program and project management in the
international development sector.

www.pm4ngos.org

PM4NGOs created the PMD Pro Guide and partners with

APMG to offer the supporting certifications.

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 Background
The purpose of organizations in the international development sector is almost exclusively
to deliver projects.

Development organizations manage their work through projects, excelling at designing

important, life-changing initiatives. Their offices are staffed by project officers who manage
project teams. In turn, the project team writes project proposals, develops project plans,
implements project activities, monitors project progress, and evaluates project impact.

There are several unique factors which impact the way NGO projects are planned and
implemented, and how their success is measured.

Millions of development workers change the world every day through activities in
agriculture, health care, microfinance, conservation, affordable housing, education,
infrastructure and human rights.

Nevertheless, while the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people depend on the ability
of development organizations to deliver project results effectively and efficiently, project
management is seldom identified as a strategic priority for these organizations.

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 Background
Generally, development organizations tend to focus on the technical programmatic areas of their
projects. Organizations tend to hire programmatic specialists (agronomists, public health
professionals, economists, etc.), who are then asked to manage projects and lead project teams.

These programmatic specialists tend to be very adept at identifying treatment protocols for
illnesses, developing curricula for schools, designing improved agricultural systems, and
analyzing the root causes of poverty. It is not as common, however, to find that they have
extensive experience and skills in the area of project management.

There are limited opportunities for project professionals working for NGOs to affordably acquire
skills - similar to those required by other sectors - to undertake project management activities
effectively an in line with recognized best practices.

Budget constraints (for training and professional development) can also be a limiting factor for
development organizations.

The purpose of the PMD Guide is to improve development professionals’ project management
capacity.

The Guide provides a contextualized, balanced, comprehensive, and adaptable resource to help
increase the efficiency and effectiveness of projects in the development sector.

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 PMD Pro Guide

❑ A best practice guide and certification that provides

project managers with the skills needed to deliver
effective, transparent results to donors and
communities.

❑ Provides an introductory, independent exploration

of Project Management within the context of the
development sector.

❑ Input from experts from several of the world’s

highly regarded non-governmental organizations.

❑ Adopted as a standard in many development

organizations around the world.

❑ Currently available in eight languages, with

several more in development.

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 Developed by and for NGOs, PMD Pro is:

Appropriate Affordable Accessible

PMD Pro provides a The PMD Pro Guide and With online course guides in
common and contextualized online learning platforms are 6 languages, PMD Pro
vocabulary and framework free learning resources for reaches professionals
specifically for managing the development community. wherever they work. Over
development projects. Certification in PMD Pro 77% of those certified are
levels 1 or 2 costs as little as from developing countries.
$22 per person.

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 Supporting NGO projects that deliver:

On Time On Budget Proven Result

NGOs using PMD Pro report NGOs using PMD Pro report Project stakeholders report
reduced delays because improved cost management, benefits from increased
PMD Pro tools help enhanced donor reporting, transparency, common
development staff define and more confident project vocabulary and improved
project risks and goals, and program staff. project outcomes.
assess progress, and
efficiently delegate work.

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 Who uses PMD Pro?
30,000+ professionals from over 700 organizations have taken the
PMD Pro certification in more than 160 countries.

Organizations like Mercy Corps, Child Fund, Plan International, and Heifer have
incorporated PMD Pro in their project management practices and standards.

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 PMD Pro development

❖ LINGOs (now Humentum) began to work with a group of international NGOs in 2007 to
collectively define principles and best practices in project management in the development sector.

❖ That early group included Catholic Relief Services, Habitat for Humanity, World Vision, Save the
Children, Oxfam and others, as well as representatives from the Project Management Institute.

❖ The work of that group laid out a framework for the Project Management in Development
curriculum which was developed and field tested by over 200 practitioners from 15 organizations
in 20 countries.

❖ With feedback from that initial testing and additional funding from APMG, the PMD Pro Guide and
PMD Pro Certification scheme were developed and launched in 2010 in Johannesburg and
Zambia.

❖ Since that launch over 30,000 individuals in over 160 countries have participated in the PMD Pro
certification.

❖ In 2011, ownership of the PMD Pro Guide and certification were turned over to a new organization
- PM4NGOs - to maintain and expand the standard.

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 Guide Content

Section 1: Projects in The Development Sector

Provides an introductory, high-level overview of projects in
the development sector.

Section 2: Phases in The Life of a Development Project

Explores the importance of balanced project
management through the entire life of the project,
exploring six key project phases.

Section 3: Project Management Disciplines

Explores six discipline areas of project managers
in the development sector.

Section 4: Adapting the PMD Pro Appendices

Recognizing that development organizations and their
projects are unique, Section 4 examines approaches Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms
project managers can employ to adapt the PMD Pro
project management approaches to the context Appendix 2: PMD Pro Learning Outcomes
in which their projects work.
Appendix 3: Reference List

Section 5: Appendices Appendix 4: Figures

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 Training and certification

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 Certification scheme

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 Training & certification

Online exam only.

LINGOs / Humentum has trained several organizations to deliver the PMD Pro courses.

You can also choose a self-learning path using PM4NGOs resources.

Find out more here.

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 Exam Pricing

$22 $60 $145

USD USD USD

Staff of local* NGOs NGOs (national or international) NGOs (national or

working in the developing world international) working in the
Volunteers developed world
Consultants in the
Students developing world Others (including, but not
limited to, HQ-based staff of
Staff of government NGOs, staff of multi-lateral and
ministries or entities in the bi-lateral agencies, consultants
developing world in developed world)

*Community-based organizations, grassroots-oriented, located in remote locations or urban peripherical impoverished area, with
a single office, not connected to other organizations as an affiliate, a subsidiary, or as the same corporation or other legal entity.

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 Who is it for?

Project Managers and team members

who are new to project management

Project Managers and team members

who are new to the development sector

Development sector professionals who

intend to pursue professional credentials
in project management

Consultants/contract staff operating in

the development sector

Students who are willing to develop a

career in the development sector or
project management.

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 Benefits & learning outcomes
❑ Provides a comprehensive and participatory approach to project management.

❑ Develops professionals’ understanding of the value of a project management standard

language and tools.

❑ Provides a practical toolkit that can be adapted to any organizational project environment.

❑ Enhances professionals’ ability to deliver projects on time, on budget, and within scope.

❑ Implement a range of tools and techniques to be used for managing projects and workloads.

❑ Apply knowledge which is relevant to the environment and conditions in which it is utilized.

❑ Use systems used in international, well-known non-government organizations which have

helped to increase productivity in developing sectors.

❑ Utilize specialist skills such as planning and implementation by adding best practices.

❑ Improve quality and communication through an organization-wide common language.

❑ Maximize the value of project management investments for both the investors and the people
who will benefit from investments.

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 Candidate experience
Saulo Esteves
Professional of Monitoring and Evaluation of Social Projects, ChildFund Brasil

“ What are your thoughts on the training & exam?

“I have no doubt that PMD Pro is the best project management course for professionals in the third sector. The
great advantage of PMD Pro is that there are excellent tools applicable to all project life cycles. In addition to
providing rich content for the development sector, PMD Pro enables you to be internationally certified in project
management. I recently achieved the Level 2 certification.”

Have you used the learning in your job role yet? If yes, how has it helped?
“Yes. Thanks to PMD Pro, ChildFund Brasil and its local partners have implemented best practices and approaches
to project management through specific tools applicable to the social development sector. The people who have
been empowered have become more capable and safer to perform their work. This makes all the programs and
projects in our portfolio succeed and places us among the best NGOs in Brasil. Today, I particularly feel more
familiar with issues related to project life cycles, impact measurement, social indicators, risk management,
stakeholders from the social context, and other specific third sector issues.”

Has it helped you to develop your career? If yes, how?

“Yes. After PMD Pro training and certification, I feel more qualified to act in challenging contexts of the
development sector and prepared to make the best decisions when managing social projects. With the certification
I have gained more professional credibility and with the knowledge I have the opportunity to train others, so that

”
projects of my organization have a positive impact on the lives of children, adolescents, youth and their
communities.”

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 Find out more….

www.pm4ngos.org/pmd-pro

www.apmg-international.com/pmd-pro

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 PM4NGOs has created an online platform which welcomes PMD Pro accredited
professionals from across the globe, and provides opportunities for further training,
discussion, professional development and career advancement.

PMD Pro+ registration and membership is free;

you just need to be PMD Pro or PgMD Pro certified.

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 Program Manager in the development sector?

Professional guidance and specialized certification

scheme for program managers operating in the
development sector.

www.pm4ngos.org/pgmd-pro

www.apmg-international.com/pgmd-pro

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 www.pm4ngos.org

Dedicated to advancement in the project management skills

of individuals and organizations working in the development
sector throughout the world.

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