PMI Washington DC Chapter

Welcome to PMIWDC’s Mentor-Protégé Program page. This members-only flagship program was created in 2012 to facilitate the development and enhancement of project management competencies for PMIWDC Chapter members connecting experienced project management professionals (mentors) with less experienced individuals (protégés). The goal of the program is to facilitate knowledge sharing, career development, and networking opportunities, helping protégés navigate their career paths in project management while benefiting from the guidance of seasoned professionals.

Here is a detailed look at the Mentor-Protégé Program:

Skill Development:

• Protégés receive guidance on how to refine and develop core project management competencies.
• Mentors provide advice on handling complex projects, navigating career paths, and developing leadership skills.

Career Growth

• Protégés benefit from the mentor’s perspective on career advancement strategies, how to build a professional network, and tips for success in the field.
• They are also encouraged to pursue certifications (like PMP, Agile, etc.) to boost their credentials.

Leadership & Guidance:

• Mentors share their experiences and insights on leading teams, managing projects, and facing the challenges that come with senior roles.
• This helps protégés learn effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques.

Networking Opportunities:

• Protégés can connect with their mentor’s professional network, which can open doors to job opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships.

Protégé Requirements

• Maintain PMIWDC Chapter membership throughout the program period
• Commit 2-3 hours per month for one-on-one activities
• Attend and participate in program activities and complete program requirements. The candidate must attend the program kick-off meeting in-person.
• Participants who request to be paired with a veteran mentor must be active duty or have served in the military.

Mentor Requirements

• Certified PMP
• Maintain PMIWDC Chapter membership throughout the program period
• Experienced in Project Management
• Commit 2-3 hours per month for one-on-one mentoring activities
• Attend required group meetings. The candidate must attend the kick-off program meeting in-person

The program announcements are made around the end of every year (Nov-Dec) and the application period is from January through February. The program commences in April and ends in October each year. It follows a structured framework based on a four-stage mentoring life cycle.

• Preparation Stage
• Define Agreements Stage
• Relationship Stage
• Closure Stage

There are four scheduled group meetings

• Kick-Off Meeting – April (In-Person)
• Check-In #1 – June (Virtual)
• Check-In #2 – August (Virtual)
• Lessons Learned – October (In-Person)

Mentoring Artifacts include:

• Mentoring Partnership Agreement
• Learning Action Plan

Mentoring Deliverables include:

• Participation Agreement
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Monthly Activity Reports

Selected readings from the PMIWDC Mentoring Program Training Workbook and the NSF Mentoring: A guide and workbook for mentors and mentees 2013-2014 are used to guide the Mentor Protégé pairs through the mentoring process.

Each Mentor-Protégé pair will:

• Meet for a minimum of two hours per month in addition to attending the required Kick-Off and Check-In meetings.
• Establish and build a foundation for a successful mentoring relationship with learning and development at its core and the fulfillment of clear mutually defined goals as its intention.
• Agree on the goals of their partnership and the frequency of their mentoring meetings.
• Complete a mentoring partnership agreement and develop a Learning (Developmental) Action Plan that translates goals into easily executable and attainable steps.
• Work towards accomplishing these agreed-upon learning goals within the time available within the formal program.

The formal program concludes with the Mentor-Protégé pairs closing the formal relationship, redefining their relationship moving forward and providing feedback to the program in the form of lessons learned. At the conclusion of the program, the mentor protégé pair will have:

• Established a mentoring relationship
• Derived the protégé’s learning goals and objectives.
• Developed a Learning Action Plan to accomplish those goals
• Worked towards achieving those goals and closed the formal mentoring relationship

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to those participants that meet the following:

• Attended at least three out of the four scheduled group meetings
• Submitted a signed Participation Agreement
• Submitted a signed Confidentiality Agreement
• Submitted all Monthly Activities Reports

The PMIWDC Mentoring Program group meetings will be conducted in a hybrid format:

• April: New Mentor Orientation (Virtual)
• April: Kick-off Orientation and Training (In-Person Meeting)
• June: Check-in Meeting #1 (Virtual)
• August: Check-in Meeting #2 (Virtual)
• October: Lessons Learned Session (In-Person Meeting)

The meeting invite and connection details for all virtual meetings will be provided once the Mentor-Protégé pairs are finalized. The figure below graphically depicts how the four mentoring life cycle stages, their associated activities and the group meetings overlay onto the performance period of the PMIWDC Mentor-Protégé Program.

Participants will earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) consistent with the amount of time they spend on qualifying activities.

• Mentors: Earn Giving Back PDUs for 1 on 1 mentoring sessions
• Protégés: Earn Educational PDUs for 1 on 1 mentoring sessions
• Both: Earn Educational PDUs for group meetings and recommended readings

For Protégés:

• Personalized guidance aligned to career goals
• Protégés gain access to tailored advice and support that aligns with their specific career goals, challenges, and professional development needs.
• Strategic career advancement and certification insights
• With the mentor’s guidance, protégés can avoid common career pitfalls and be more strategic in their job search, certifications, and networking efforts.
• Increased confidence in leading projects and teams
• Having a mentor to turn to for advice boosts the protégé’s confidence in handling projects, leading teams, and making strategic decisions.
• Practical learning from real-world experiences
• Protégés learn practical lessons from the mentor’s years of experience, including how to navigate difficult projects, manage conflicts, and lead successful teams.
• Expanded professional network within PMI community
• Proteges benefit from the connections that come with mentoring, as they may engage with other professionals in the PMI community.

For Mentors:

• Give back to the project management community
• Mentors have the opportunity to give back to the project management community by helping to shape the next generation of leaders in the field.
• Personal satisfaction in developing future leaders
• Many mentors find personal fulfillment in helping others achieve their professional goals and watching their protégés grow and succeed.
• Strengthen leadership and coaching skills
• Mentoring enhances the mentor’s leadership and coaching skills, providing them with opportunities to reflect on and improve their own management styles.
• Expand professional network
• Mentors also benefit from the connections that come with mentoring, as they may engage with other professionals in the PMI community.

The PMIWDC Mentor Protégé Program was initiated in 2007. The following are some of the feedback from program alumni:

“Participating as a mentor in the PMIWDC Mentoring Program allows me to share my accumulated experience and wisdom with others. This is deeply fulfilling and a way of giving back to my profession.”

— 2024 Program Mentor

“The PMIWDC Mentor-Protégé program is as impactful on the Mentor as it is on the Protégé. The things I learned as a mentor have been implemented in my work and social life. My friendship(s) will continue beyond the program.”

— 2021 Program Mentor