Reader’s question:
Can you share your list of free webinars that offer PDs?
Aaron’s reply:
As any good Business Analyst would do, let’s make sure we are talking about the same thing. PDs is the abbreviation for Professional Development hours, of which you need 21 to qualify to sit for the CCBATM or CBAP® exam. This, along with other requirements, is what is needed to obtain the certification.
This is not to be, but often is, confused with PDUs or CDUs. PDUs is the PMI® designation for Professional Development Units and CDU is the IIBA® designation for Continuing Development Units. These are what you need to acquire to maintain (re-certify) a certification that you have already obtained. For the CBAP® you must acquire 60 CDUs within a 3 year to maintain your CBAP®.
To answer the reader’s question, and assuming they were asking about Professional Development hours, the answer is “None”. In order for a “class” to qualify for PDs it must:
- contain material related to business analysis tasks, techniques or underlying competencies,
- an instructor must lead the students through the material, and
- students must have the ability to interact with the instructor and other students in the class.
Webinars do not provide the required interaction between students and the instructor to qualify for Professional Development hours. Several of the IIBA Endorsed Education Providers (EEPTM) provide “virtual classroom” classes that do qualify for PDs. These are given over the internet but have visual and audio components that enhance the interaction between students and the instructor. Because an instructor is required it will be difficult to find any class that is free of charge, but “virtual classroom” classes are less expensive than traditional classroom classes.
Webinars can qualify for CDUs as the instructor-led and interaction requirements do not exist for CDUs. Many of the EEP’s as well as the IIBA itself give CDUs for certain webinars. Some of these webinars are free of charge. The webinar provider will often advertise the number of CDUs that the webinar is worth and the cost to attend.
So if you are looking to obtain a certification, needing PDs, be prepared to shell out some money. If you are looking to maintain a certification, needing CDUs, you will be able to obtain some CDUs without reaching into your pocket.
Editor’s Note: For an online, virtual training option that provides the necessary PDs for certification, check out EBG Consulting’s Roadmap to Success.
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By Aaron Whittenberger. Aaron has 24 years of IT experience, including 13 years as a consultant and over 12 years of business analysis experience. He is an avid Business Analyst, Project Manager, Software Developer, Blogger, Mentor, Trainer and Presenter. Aaron is an active member of the IIBA® and has earned his Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) designation. View more blog posts by Aaron Whittenberger |
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I like Aarons’ full explanation and it makes sense to me.
“…
Certificate in Project Management
Free Demo Duration: 180 hours | 180 PDUs/18 CEUs
Register by November 30, and you’ll also re
…”
It appears to be offering PDUs. So some providers are not making a clear distinction between PD’s and PDUs….