PMI recently passed an important milestone when it awarded its 50,000th Project Management Professional (PMP) credential. And in keeping with the incredible growth of PMI outside of North America, PMP number 50,000 is from Brazil.

Carla Krieger Langsch, a project manager from Porto Alegre, Rio Grand e do SuI, Brazil, employed by Hewlett Packard (HP) Services Consulting & Integration, was the honored 50,000th PMP; Krieger started her project manager career at Briefing Informatica in 1995. In 1998, she was hired as the project manager of the University Informatics lnstitute at UFRGS (Federal University of Rio Grand e do SuI). In 2000, Krieger became a lieutenant in the Brazilian Army with the role of project manager, working on the administrative information system. She started working as a Project Manager for HP in 2001, having responsibility for some projects don e for HSBC Bank. Krieger found out about PMI w hen she was in the Brazilian Army; "But it was just after I had joined HP that I had the necessary support to join the local chapter (PMI Rio Grand e do SuI, Brazil) and to study to take the PMP exam," Krieger said.

Two things motivated Krieger to seek the PMP credential. "I believe we need to keep on improving our capabilities, knowledge and expertise," Krieger said.

"The second one was the fact that at HP; the PMP certification is valued as an important step in the project manager's career, s o all the necessary support and infrastructure to prepare for the certification are provided." Krieger felt that studying for the exam was not difficult, but it demanded much discipline. "I used to study two hours a day, during the week, and 16 hours during the weekend. I attended a PMP formal training class, read [A Guide to the Project

Management Body ot Knowledge (PMBOK"' Guide)) twice, did some practice questions and did a summary of the PMBOK"' Guide) with the main points. We also formed a study group with other applicants from HP. Each of us had a PMP) mentor ...and support from the local chapter," Krieger said.

During the process s of becoming a ?MP; according to Krieger, one starts to see in a more effective, concrete way the art of managing projects with increased quality. "Everything I learned studying for the PMP examination is applicable in the .real world'. Much of it I was already using in my day-to-day project management experiences and much I started to use after obtaining the certification," Krieger said.

Krieger advises others considering taking the PMP exam to focus on understanding the concepts and their applicability, because most of the questions pertain to real situations. .'If you study and have the necessary education and experience in project management, you have alI the chances of passing the examination and getting the certification," Krieger said.

Ricardo Jacobus, Krieger's supervisor at HP; believes that getting the PMP certification improves the project manager's knowledge and value because PMI is a very important and respected international entity and because the concepts learned while studying improve the actual value of everyday life managing projects.

Mauro Sotille, Krieger's mentor and president of the PMI Rio Grande do SuI, Brazil Chapter. notes that the chapter is honored to have a member be the 50.000th PMP.

"As Carla's mentor during this process. I am very proud of her achievement (and timing!). Carla is very persistent and dedicated. and her success as a project manager reflects the profession- al way she handles every task. Her disciplined studying for the exam is an example of the commitment she will have with the improvement of the profession,.. Sotille said.

"The milestone of a member from a chapter outside the USA becoming the 50,OOOth PMP has special significance. It not on1y symbolizes the acceptance and reputation of PMP as a truly global certification, but also shows that the globalization efforts being done by PMI Headquarters are becoming successful." Sotille added.