Developed by the sector, for the sector, and owned by the sector
Project DPro
PMD Pro 2nd Edition
Making the world better one project at a time.
The Challenge
NGOs excel at designing important, life-changing projects. Yet without the tools to manage them properly, some projects fail to deliver promised results. How can we respond as a sector to do the right projects in the right way?
Partnering
Donors, NGOs, partners, and communities increasingly collaborate on projects that require new communication tools and frameworks.
Transparency
Donors and communities require transparency about project outcomes and other key metrics.
Accountability
NGOs and their partners are increasingly more accountable to deliver projects on-time and on-budget.
The Solution
Project DPro (PMD Pro) – Project Management for Development Professionals – is a best practice guide and certification that provides project managers the skills needed to deliver effective, transparent results to donors and communities.
Appropriate
Project DPro (PMD Pro) provides a common and contextualized vocabulary and framework specifically for managing development projects.
Affordable
The Project DPro Guide (PMD Pro) and online learning platforms are free learning resource for the development community. Certification in PMD Pro levels 1 or 2 costs as little as $22 per person.
Accessible
With online course guides in 6 languages, PMD Pro reaches professionals wherever they work. Over 77% of those certified are from developing countries.
Developed by and for NGOs, Project DPro (PMD Pro) is a global standard for project management
that has reached over 30,000 development professionals.
LINGOs (currently 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.
In 2011, the ownership of the PMD Pro Guide and certification were turned over to a new organization PM4NGOs to maintain and expand the standard.
At that time, LINGOs began to offer training and consulting services to organizations and individuals interested in adopting PMD Pro tools and techniques. In order to more rapidly spread the PMD Pro methodology, LINGOs has also trained several organizations to deliver the PMD Pro courses and have provided materials for trainers at no cost to anyone interested in conducting PMD Pro certification preparation classes.
In 2018, PM4NGOs started to review and rewrite the PMD Pro Guide. Over 10 years, PMD Pro has reached 30 thousand professionals, working at 1,250 organizations, in 167 countries.
Looking back at the beginning, it has been incredibly rewarding to hear stories of the difference that improved project management practice has made to people’s lives: PMD Pro has made their lives easier – providing simple and adaptable tools and techniques that help them do more with less and in many cases, do it better.
Launched in March, 2020, the Project DPro Guide (PMD Pro 2nd Edition) reflects years of learning, feedback from hundreds of development professionals, and a two-year development process. It also aligns with Program DPro Guide.
Impact where it matters most: 75% of Project DPro participants work in a developing country.
The Benefits
On Time
NGOs using Project DPro report reduced delays because Project DPro tools help development staff define project risks and goals, assess progress, and efficiently delegate work.
On Budget
NGOs using Project DPro report improved cost management, enhanced donor reporting, and more confident project and program staff.
Proven Results
Project stakeholders report benefits from increased transparency, common vocabulary and improved project outcomes.
“If we don’t do project management right, nothing else is possible. PMD Pro and Mercy Corps’ own Program Management at Mercy Corps Initiative are finally giving us a common language that has been missing for many years”.
—Craig Redmond, Senior Vice President of Programs, Mercy Corps
Case Studies
Heifer International
“We now have the space to look at wider issues, at project growth or future initiatives, without compromising the logical delivery of the project.” — Adriana Garcia-DeVun America’s Director of Program
Catholic Relief Services
“I recommend PMD Pro because it really helps staff to understand where to focus their efforts. It also benefits their team, who can sometimes feel overwhelmed at the beginning of a project.” —Jennifer Overton Deputy Regional Director, East Africa
World Vision
“PMD Pro is the best thing to have happened to project management. It is the reason why kids in Zambia have clean water, why clinics are built on time, and why a poor farmer is able to harvest”. —Clement Chipokolo World Vision International, Zambia
International, national, and local NGOs using Project DPro report more effective project deliveries.
What could PMD Pro do for your projects?
Get Involved
Tested and proven, the Project DPro approach maximizes the impact of development projects. Start applying it to your projects.
Become Certified
Download the guide, study online, access our resources, and take your exam.
Certify Others
Become an individual trainer or develop your training organization.
Stay Connected
Contact us and subscribe to receive regular updates about Project DPro.
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