07/29/2025
Project Management and the Mailpiece Design Consultant Workshops
Source: Print & Graphic Communications Association, July 25, 2025
Project Management
Start: Tuesday, August 12 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. EDT
End: Wednesday, August 13 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. EDT
Fee: GMA Member $225 (Non-Member $350)
With the increasing demand for efficient project delivery, mastering the art of project management has become a critical skill for both businesses and individuals. Project management is the practice of planning, organizing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals and objectives, while adhering to the predefined project parameters. It provides control over the project lifecycle, from its initiation to its completion. Whether a business is planning a small-scale project or a large-scale initiative, effective project management is the key to ensuring success.
The Project Management 7th Edition course will cover principles and techniques in accordance with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) 7th Edition, which is the globally recognized standard for project management best practices. Participants will gain an understanding of value delivery, project management principles, as well as performance domains that are important for final delivery outcomes. As the world continues to change with technology evolving and new organizations emerging, it’s important to reconsider the global perspectives that are found within the PMBOK Guide.
Workshop Objectives
- Define projects and project management
- Explore the changes with the 7th edition and past editions
- Recognize the factors that contribute to a system for value delivery
- Identify the ethics that are most important for project management
- Explore the 12 Project Management Principles
- Identify the 8 Project Performance Domains
- Understand the Tailoring Process
- Define and explore models, methods, and artifacts
Mail Piece Design Recertification Class
Start: Tuesday, October 21
End: Thursday, October 23
Time: Tuesday 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Wednesday/Thursday 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Fee: GMA Member $275 (Non-Member $395)
The Mail Systems Management Association (MSMA) is a professional national non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Mail, Logistics and Distribution Systems, Office Services and related industries. Founded in 1981, it seeks to advance professionalism within the mail systems industry by establishing a framework for professional organization, communication, educational opportunities, leadership development, and award contributions to the art of mail systems management. The MSMA is dedicated to bringing Education to the Mailing Industry. Anyone involved in the business of mail knows that it is crucial that they understand the central role the United States Postal Service (USPS) plays in the mailing industry and the basic requirements involved in doing business with the USPS.
The Mailpiece Design Consultant (MDC) is a certified designation designed for applicants to become familiar with and test the US Postal information contained in the MSMA MDC Study Guide. The Study Guide was prepared by a group of MSMA mailing professionals as a training aid and a reference tool to assist in understanding the basic USPS policies, regulations and services in keeping with the USPS Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) and it serves as the basis for the information required for certification as an MSMA Mailpiece Design Consultant (MDC). The MDC Study Guide is updated frequently but it does not include frequently changing information like current Postal rates. However, references are made as to where this information can be found in the (DMM).
The MDC Study Guide contains the following ten chapters:
- Chapter 1 - Postal Processing Overview & Mail Classes
- Chapter 2 - Processing Methods and Categories
- Chapter 3 - Workshare Incentives
- Chapter 4 - Addressing & Automation
- Chapter 5 - Extra Services
- Chapter 6 - Ancillary Endorsements
- Chapter 7 - Remittance Mail
- Chapter 8 - Postage Payment Methods
- Chapter 9 - Private Express Statutes
- Chapter 10 - History of the Postal Service
The MDC online certification exam is a 100-questions, multiple choice, open-book exam. Successful completion is a score of 90% or better. Upon entering the exam, you’ll have 4 hours to complete it. You can pause it (Stop the clock) as you search for the answers. You have two attempts to successfully complete the exam and the login is active for 60 days. Upon successful completion, participants will receive the MDC designation, a certificate, which is good for two years, and listing in the MSMA MDC National Directory.
This program includes the MSMA MDC online exam fee ($95.00 per person) that is required for Certification, the MDC Study Guide and Review Questions (PDF), instructor cost covering the workshop preparation, Power Point presentation, exam setup and login, Postal Update presentation by Mailers Hub and interface with the PGCA virtual communications personnel. The daily video ZOOM presentations will be made available to any paid attendee requesting them.