Product Development and Management Association
An American nonprofit professional society focused on new product development, innovation management, education, and professional exchange.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) is an American nonprofit professional society serving people and organizations involved in new product development and innovation management. Established in 1976, the association provides a professional forum for practitioners, researchers, educators, and other specialists concerned with how products and services are conceived, developed, commercialized, and managed over time. PDMA's work combines professional education, certification, publishing, events, and community building. Its activities are aimed at improving the methods and organizational practices used in product innovation, including the management of development processes, cross-functional collaboration, portfolio decisions, commercialization, and the creation of customer and business value. Rather than operating as a consumer-facing product brand, PDMA functions as a membership and knowledge organization for the product-development profession. A central offering is the New Product Development Professional (NPDP) certification program. The credential is intended to provide a common body of knowledge and a structured qualification for professionals working in product development and innovation. PDMA also organizes an annual conference that enables practitioners and academics to exchange research, case material, tools, and management experience related to new product development. The association supports a publication portfolio that includes the Journal of Product Innovation Management (JPIM), Visions magazine, the PDMA Handbook of New Product Development, and additional books on product-development subjects. JPIM is an academic and professional journal published by Wiley-Blackwell and is held by numerous university libraries. A 2002 evaluation cited in reference material placed the journal 19th among 40 marketing journals assessed for usefulness. PDMA is based in the United States but has an international membership and network. Reference material describes approximately 3,500 members worldwide, with 22 chapters in the United States and 16 affiliates in other parts of the world, including India. Through these chapters, affiliates, publications, conferences, and certification activities, the association connects academic knowledge with the practical requirements of innovation teams and managers. Publicly available reference material does not identify a founder, specific headquarters location, current executives, ownership structure, or financial information.
History
The Product Development and Management Association was founded in 1976 in the United States as a nonprofit professional society devoted to new product development. Its formation reflected the growing recognition that successful innovation depends not only on technical invention or marketing, but also on disciplined processes for identifying opportunities, evaluating concepts, coordinating development work, and bringing offerings to market. Over time, PDMA developed as a professional and educational network rather than as a commercial manufacturer or consultancy. Its membership model brought together product managers, researchers, engineers, marketers, designers, consultants, educators, and other professionals whose work involved innovation and product-development decisions. The association's chapter structure created local and regional communities while its broader programming supported exchange across organizations and countries. A major part of PDMA's role has been the dissemination of knowledge. It publishes and supports material addressing product innovation, development methods, portfolio management, organizational capabilities, and related management questions. Its publication portfolio includes the Journal of Product Innovation Management, Visions magazine, the PDMA Handbook of New Product Development, and other books on product-development topics. The Journal of Product Innovation Management, published by Wiley-Blackwell, serves an academic and professional readership and is available through numerous university libraries. Reference material also records a 2002 assessment in which the journal ranked 19th among 40 marketing journals evaluated for usefulness. PDMA also established a professional education and credentialing role through the New Product Development Professional certification. The NPDP program provides a formal route for professionals to demonstrate knowledge of new product development and related innovation practices. Alongside certification, the association's annual conference provides a recurring venue for professional exchange, presentations, research discussion, and networking. By the period described in the available reference material, PDMA had approximately 3,500 members worldwide, 22 chapters in the United States, and 16 international affiliates, including an affiliate network presence in India. This structure indicates an organization with a primarily American institutional base but an international professional reach. The association's continuing activities center on education, certification, publications, conferences, and communities of practice. The supplied sources do not provide a detailed account of individual leadership changes, mergers, financial performance, headquarters moves, or major controversies.
- 2002
Journal usefulness evaluation
[1]The Journal of Product Innovation Management was placed 19th among 40 marketing journals evaluated for usefulness in a study cited by reference material.
- 1976
Association founded
[1]The Product Development and Management Association was established in the United States as a nonprofit professional society focused on new product development.
NPDP certification established as a core professional program
[1]PDMA operates training leading to the New Product Development Professional certification, creating a formal qualification pathway for people working in product development and innovation.
International chapter and affiliate network documented
[1]Reference material describes a network of 22 United States chapters and 16 affiliates in other parts of the world, including India, alongside approximately 3,500 members worldwide.
Products and positioning
A nonprofit professional association and knowledge platform for practitioners, researchers, and educators working in new product development and innovation management.
Professional certification and training
New Product Development Professional (NPDP) certification
PDMA's NPDP program provides training and certification for professionals involved in new product development and innovation management. It is designed to formalize knowledge in the field and give practitioners a recognized professional credential. The available reference material identifies the program as a core association offering but does not specify current examination requirements, fees, delivery formats, or renewal rules.
Professional and academic journal
Journal of Product Innovation Management
The Journal of Product Innovation Management, commonly abbreviated as JPIM, is a scholarly and professional publication associated with the product-innovation field. It is published by Wiley-Blackwell and is held in numerous university libraries. The journal provides a channel for research and analysis relevant to new product development and innovation management. A 2002 evaluation cited in reference material ranked it 19th among 40 marketing journals assessed for usefulness.
Professional magazine
Visions magazine
Visions magazine is a PDMA publication intended to share practical and professional material concerning product development and innovation. It forms part of the association's broader effort to connect practitioners and disseminate field knowledge. The supplied sources do not provide a detailed publication history, frequency, or current editorial structure.
Professional reference book
PDMA Handbook of New Product Development
The PDMA Handbook of New Product Development is a reference publication covering concepts and practices associated with the development of new products. It represents the association's role in organizing and distributing professional knowledge for innovation managers, product teams, students, and researchers. The available material does not specify edition dates or individual contributors.
Conference and professional event
Annual PDMA conference
PDMA's annual conference is a recurring event for professional exchange in new product development and innovation management. It provides a setting for practitioners and academics to share research, methods, cases, and experience. Specific event names, locations, attendance figures, and program histories are not identified in the supplied reference material.
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