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ATD Blog

Using Project Management Skills Can Ease the Path to CPLP

Tuesday, August 25, 2015
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Just as I had managed projects for years before earning my Project Management Professional (PMP) designation, I worked as an instructional designer before I realized I was one. Cammy Bean perfectly described my career path in her book, The Accidental Instructional Designer. I learned basic instructional design concepts on the job in the various positions I held over the years, and in early 2014, I was hired as a full-time instructional designer. While I was certainly competent, I knew that there was more to the field and wanted to hone my skills. 

It wasn’t until I joined ATD in 2014 that I learned there was a professional certification program comparable to Project Management International’s PMP. Those who have taken the PMP exam will understand my feeling of “WTF?” when I saw that in addition to the formal Knowledge Exam for ATD’s Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) certification, there is also a Work Product, which is scored to a pretty demanding rubric. 

Using my PMP preparation as a benchmark, I knew that I wanted to study for about six months before taking the Knowledge Exam. I had only studied for four months for the PMP and even though I passed, I wished I had started earlier. I also knew that attending a PMP preparation boot camp the week before taking my exam had been critical to my passing. 

Getting Started 

So as soon as my employer, Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E), graciously agreed to pay for my certification, I got busy. That was in April of 2014, and I planned to take the exam in October.

The first thing I did was purchase both the online and hard copy version of ATD’s Learning System: one to mark up with my highlighter and one for quick reference and knowledge assessments. The second thing I did was reach out to some CPLP credential holders in my area for advice and encouragement. The third thing was register for ATD’s online CPLP workshop. 

I downloaded my PDF of the ATD Learning System immediately, so I knew it was a long document. But when the hard copy arrived at my door a week or so later, the amount of reading and studying I had to do really sunk in; it was almost 800 pages. With the unwavering support of my husband and children, I began my six months of exam prep. 

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Using Your Resources 

At the time that I took the PMP exam, you had to pass at least three of the five knowledge areas. The CPLP Knowledge Exam has 10. This was a little intimidating at first, but as I got into the reading, I found I was almost immediately able to apply what I was learning to my actual job. This was exciting to me! I even felt like I was kind of cheating: I was only just starting to study and already I was getting demonstrable value from it. 

What’s more, as I went through the performance management material (the first knowledge area I studied), I could see that my employer actually applied many of the best practices advocated by scientists, researchers, and industry thought leaders. This was getting better all the time! 

Talking to Vicki Troxel and Kate Beavin, my local CPLP contacts, was also helpful, even though their experience had been much different from mine. They had been part of the first group to go through the certification and at that time, there was no Learning System; they had to rely on experience and independent research. Although our experiences differed, I appreciated their moral support and suggestions regarding my study plan. Vicki, who also works at OG&E, even took me out for a celebratory lunch when it was all over. 

The online CPLP workshop was another good resource. I would have preferred an on-site classroom session, but a couple of variables prevented that. Fortunately, ATD provides an effective instructor-led web-based experience. My workshop alternated between two knowledgeable, capable instructors, and they were supported by a technician who seamlessly led us through the virtual breakout sessions.

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Whether you take it in-person or over the web, I would highly recommend a workshop. One of the goals of the CPLP workshop is to help you create an exam study plan, so you want to take the workshop early in the process. There was also a session dedicated to discussing the Work Product. 

Preparing for the Work Product and Exam 

Ah, the Work Product. You cannot submit a Work Product unless you pass the Knowledge Exam. You can—and should—submit a Work Product that relates to the knowledge area most closely aligned with your strengths and experience (in my case, instructional design). You might even think that would make the process easy, if perhaps a little time-consuming. 

To put it tactfully, you would be underestimating the rigor of the CPLP. In fact, I agonized over the Work Product more than the exam. There is a very specific, demanding set of criteria against which the Work Product is judged. And so, you sweat. I submitted my Work Product by the deadline in February, and then began the wait until my notification in April. When it came, and I passed, it was a huge relief. 

Overall, earning the CPLP was a lot of work, but definitely worth it. I have more credibility among my peers, and studying 10 different knowledge areas has broadened my perspective and given me new ideas for my career path. 

Learn more about the CPLP Certification.

About the Author

Lisa DelCol, CPLP, has worked in the instructional design field for approximately 15 years. She is currently employed as an instructional designer at Oklahoma Gas & Electric, working with a team of creative, innovative, and forward-thinking professionals.

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