Introduction In support of the NPDP Certification Examination
About PDMA The Product Development & Management Association (PDMA) was founded in 1976. Centered in the USA, it has 16 International Affiliates in Europe, South/Central America, and Asia/Pacific. It is the premier association worldwide for product development professionals including: Practitioners Academics Consultants
The Scope of PDMA Membership represents a broad cross-section of product and service industries including: Consumer goods Heavy machinery IT and software Banking Healthcare Consultancy In both the B2B and B2C sectors.
What is special about PDMA? It offers the network of contacts to connect product development professionals worldwide. It facilitates the on-going development of the product development and management BoK through: 1. Academic research and publication (e.g. the JPIM and Research Forum) 2. Learning from leading companies (e.g. the Outstanding Corporate Innovator Awards) 3. Facilitating exchange of ideas and knowledge across organizations and thought-leaders.
The Scope of NPDP Certification The material provided as the basis for the NPDP certification can be applied to the full range of product development projects included in most company portfolios: New to the company products or services Line extensions Cost reductions Product or service improvements features, functionality, aesthetics
Benefits of certification For individuals Confirms mastery of NPD principles and best practice leading to professional advancement, new job opportunities and greater remuneration. For management Identifies those who have the product development skills and knowledge to move into leadership roles For organizations Promotes better NPD practice leading to greater new product success
NPDP Application Process The steps to be completed for NPDP Application Process: Determine Your Eligibility Complete and Submit an Application Receive Your Approval to Test Schedule and Pass the Exam
Either Or Determine Your Eligibility Education Hold a bachelor s or higher university degree (or an equivalent degree) from an accredited institution Experience Accrued at least two years of professional-level experience working in new product development (the candidate must have accumulated the required experience within the prior four years) Education Hold a high school diploma or Equivalent Experience Accrued at least five years of professional-level experience working in new product development (the candidate must have accumulated the required experience within the prior eight years)
Complete and Submit an The certification application can be completed and submitted to PDMA through the Certification Portal. Application fees are based on your PDMA membership type and are paid when submitting your application in the Certification Portal. Application Membership Type Application Type PDMA Professional and Academic $0 Members PDMA Student and Team Members $100 Non Members $200
Receive Your Approval to Test Application is reviewed and approved in 5-10 business days. The candidate will receive an email including an eligibility ID and instructions on how to schedule your exam. The candidate will not be able to schedule an exam without an eligibility ID.
Schedule and Pass the Exam The exam costs $250 for both PDMA members and non-members. After completing the exam, PDMA will receive the exam score and the candidates will be notified once it has been added to the original certification application. Note: The candidates will be required to pay an exam fee of $250 to Prometric each time you take the NPDP application.
Manage and Maintain Your NPDP Certification Certified new product development professionals can renew their NPDP Certification every three years by completing and submitting a certification renewal application in the Certification Portal, subject to approval by PDMA. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS PDHs The primary criterion for renewing NPDP Certification is the active pursuit of additional new product development knowledge through Professional Development Hours (PDHs). All individuals are required to pay a renewal fee upon submitting their renewal application. To renew certification, an individual is required to obtain 60 PDHs over a three-year period beginning on the date NPDP Certification is awarded
About the Examination 200 multi-choice questions Requires 150 (75%) correctly answered question to pass the examination
Culture, organization and teams 20 questions (10%) Life cycle management 20 questions (10%) Portfolio Management 20 questions (10%) Examination content Tools and Metrics 40 questions (20%) NPD Strategy 40 questions (20%) Market Research 20 questions (10%) New Products Process 40 questions (20%)
An Overview of the NPDP framework Strategy Provides the context and direction for product development and on-going product management Portfolio management Establishes and maintains an appropriate balance of new and existing product development projects in line with the strategy New products process Provides an approach which is commonly understood and accepted by the whole organization for successfully taking a product from idea to launch Organization, teams and culture Provides the basis for an innovative environment and culture that fosters cross-functional collaboration, which is critical to new product success.
An Overview of the NPDP framework Tools and metrics Required to facilitate efficient and effective completion of all aspects of strategy development, portfolio management, the new products process and life-cycle management Market research Required to provide market-related information and data to underpin decision making in all aspects of strategy development, portfolio management, the new products process and life-cycle management Life-cycle management Ensures that the on-going value of the product is maximized both in terms of its evolutionary improvement and its sustainability.
Reference Book for PDMA Certification Product Development and Management A Guide for Training and Certification Complied by Allan M. Anderson, PhD, NPDP
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