General

1. What is Mentoring?

Mentoring, as established within the framework of the PMI South Florida Mentoring Program, constitutes a voluntary commitment aimed at enhancing an individual's proficiency in project management. Mentors assume the roles of facilitators and catalysts in fostering a journey of discovery and insight. Within this collaborative learning alliance, the mentor's function is to act as a "guide on the side" rather than an “all-knowing expert”. The program places an emphasis on fostering a dynamic in which the mentee actively partakes in assuming responsibility for their own learning process, setting priorities, acquiring knowledge and resources, thereby progressing towards a state of self-direction.

• Mentoring Program does not function as a platform for job placement or resume development.

• Mentoring Program is not designed to serve as a study group for PMP certification.

• Under no circumstances should a mentor or mentee engage in a mentoring partnership with the ulterior motive of financial gain or the promotion of products or services.

2. Who is Eligible to be a Mentee?

Generally, a mentee is an individual either currently occupying or aspiring to the positions of project manager, program manager, project coordinator, or project scheduler. Their objective is to develop skills within a specific Knowledge Area or gain insights into project management within a particular industry.

To qualify as a mentee within the PMI South Florida Chapter, individuals must meet the following prerequisites:

• Must be active, in good standing member of the PMI South Florida Chapter.

3. Who is Eligible to be a Mentor?

To qualify as a mentor within the PMI South Florida Chapter, individuals must meet the following prerequisites:

• Must be active, in good standing member of the PMI South Florida Chapter.

• Be recognized as an experienced project manager within their professional network.

• Possess a minimum of five years of experience in project management or related roles.

• Hold a valid PMP (Project Management Professional) designation.

4. Industry Inclusivity

Participation is open to professionals from all industries; there are no specific industry restrictions.

5. Mentor Time Commitment

Mentors are expected to invest a minimum of two hours per month with their mentees, which may occur either in person or through videoconferencing. Additionally, there is a mandatory two-hour kickoff meeting, resulting in a minimum total time commitment of eight hours.

6. Mentee Time Commitment

Mentees are expected to invest a minimum of two hours per month with their mentor, which may occur either in person or through videoconferencing. Additionally, there is a mandatory two-hour kickoff meeting, resulting in a minimum total time commitment of eight hours.

7. Program Duration

Mentoring Program extends for approximately three months, requiring a minimum commitment of eight hours. To maintain participation in the formal Mentoring Program beyond this period, re-application is necessary. While an informal continuation of the mentor-mentee collaboration remains an option, it should be noted that it will not involve active engagement from PMI South Florida.

8. Application Process

To be considered for the program, applicants must be an active member of the PMI South Florida Chapter and follow these steps:

• Review the FAQ's.

• Complete the survey during the enrollment period.

• Attend the mandatory kickoff meeting to formally initiate the collaboration.

9. The Purpose of a Kickoff Meeting

Successful mentoring programs hinge on two critical elements: a well-matched mentor-mentee pairing and a productive collaboration. The purpose of a kickoff meeting is to acquaint mentors and mentees, establish clear expectations, and offer guidance to foster an effective collaboration.

10. Total Number of PDUs that can be Accrued

Both the mentor and mentee, provided they hold active PMP (or CAPM) certification, are eligible to accumulate PDUs in the following manner:

1. Kickoff meeting – PDU 2 hours.
   [both mentor and mentee] Activity: Organization Meeting. Category: Education. 

2. 3 months mentoring – PDU 6 hours.
   [mentor only] Activity: Share Knowledge. Category: Giving Back.
   [mentee only] Activity: Informal Learning. Category: Education.  

3. Total Mentoring – PDU 8 hours maximum. 

11. “While I am in the Process of Pursuing my PMP Certification, can I Count Participation in a Mentoring Program as Part of the Mandatory 35 Contact Hours of Project Management Education Required for PMP Qualification?”

No. Unfortunately, mentoring programs do not fulfill the criteria for the 35 contact hours requirement. This segment of the PMP Certification application pertains specifically to structured educational programs that cover distinct project management knowledge areas, typically delivered in a classroom setting.

12. “If I Obtain a PMP Certification During the Mentoring Program, Will I be Eligible for PDUs?”

No. Due to the short duration of the program PDUs will be available to participants who have an active PMP certification at the start of the program.

13. How to Acquire PDUs

Upon successful completion of the Mentoring Program, you may submit your PDUs via the standard PMI procedures using your CCRS account.

14. Eligibility for PDU Credits is Determined by the Following:
Activities eligible for PDU credits:

1. Kickoff meeting attendance.

2. Time spent by both mentor and mentee, either in face-to-face or video-chat meetings.

Activities not eligible for PDU credits:

1. Work-related activities (subject to mentor-mentee discretion).

2. E-mail communications.

3. Reading.

4. Travel.

15. “Can I Claim PDUs Before the Program's Completion?”

No. PDUs are only granted upon program completion. See the next question for further details.

16. PDU Categories

1. Kickoff meeting – PDU 2 hours.
   [both mentor and mentee] Activity: Organization Meeting. Category: Education. 

2. 3 months mentoring – PDU 6 hours.
   [mentor only] Activity: Share Knowledge. Category: Giving Back.
   [mentee only] Activity: Informal Learning. Category: Education.  

3. Total Mentoring – PDU 8 hours maximum. 

17. “May I Extend my Existing Mentor-Mentee Collaboration for Another Term?”

Yes, however, all individuals interested in continuing must reapply for program enrollment. In situations where the mentor-mentee collaboration persists informally beyond the program, an evaluation of activities will be conducted to ascertain eligibility for additional PDU credits.

18. Maximum Allowance for Mentor-Mentee Collaborations

For the spring 2026 term, there will be a cap of 10 mentors and 10 mentees, with a waiting list in place. In subsequent terms, our goal is to facilitate as many pairings as possible. The number of collaborations will depend on the availability of mentors available to participate.

19. Selection Process for Mentor-Mentee Pairs

Pairs are typically selected based on a first-come, best-match approach. However, it's important to note that despite being the first applicant, if no suitable match is found, pairing may not occur. The matching criteria primarily encompass factors such as experience, industry alignment, professional specialization, mentoring preferences, geographic proximity, and various secondary considerations.

20. “How Many Mentees will be Assigned to a Mentor?”

Each mentor will be assigned one mentee, except in cases where a 'Group Mentor' session is available for the term.

21. Participation in 'Group Mentoring' sessions

Group Mentoring is generally designed for individuals with under three years of project leadership experience, often lacking PMP certification and possessing theoretical knowledge rather than practical project management expertise. These sessions are led by a single mentor, guiding multiple mentees and addressing a diverse range of topics, which can vary depending on the group's specific requirements.

Possible Topics Include:

1. Essential Skills for Aspiring or Advancing Project Managers

2. Certification Insights (CAPM/PMP) and PMP Certification Maintenance (Note: This is not a PMP Preparation Course)

3. The Role of Project Management in Organizational Enhancement

4. Interviewing Strategies (Excluding Job Search or Resume Building)

5. Managing Complex Situations and Stakeholder Relationships

6. Further Aspects of PMP Certification (Note: This is not a PMP Preparation Course)

7. Diverse Disciplines and Valuable Proficiencies for Project Managers:

• Vendor Negotiations and Vendor Management

• Resource Management in Projects

• Effective Project Communications

• Navigating Challenging Situations with Stakeholders

• Evaluation and Application of Project Management Tools (e.g., MS Project vs. Excel, Understanding PPM, Document Creation in Word, PowerPoint, and Email Usage)

22. “What if my Mentor/Mentee and I don’t get along?”

In the event that a Mentor and Mentee encounter difficulties in establishing a productive rapport, it is anticipated that both parties will make earnest attempts to foster a positive relationship. If these efforts prove to be ineffective, please feel free to reach out to the Director of the Mentoring Program at [email protected] for further guidance.