The Standards Evolution

What is a standard?

A standard is a document, established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, which provides for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context. Developed under a process based on the concepts of consensus, openness, due process, and balance, PMI standards provide guidelines for achieving specific project, program and portfolio management results.

PMI global standards are the foundation of the profession, helping to ensure your organization’s knowledge and frameworks are up-to-date.

Standards Development

How are standards developed?

Our standards are developed and approved through a consensus-based process that ensures that all interested stakeholders can participate. PMI is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standards developer, and our process conforms with ANSI requirements.

Why does this matter? ANSI—the American National Standards Institute—provides a fair and transparent process that ensures all voices can be heard. Whether you’re a professional, a member of the public, or simply someone who cares about how things are done, your input counts. No single group dominates the process, and every comment submitted through the proper channels receives a response.

This is part of ANSI’s commitment to due process, a cornerstone of how Standards are developed.

By following ANSI’s Essential Requirements, PMI ensures a level playing field for everyone involved. That leads to stronger, more relevant standards—built by consensus and informed by diverse perspectives.

Policy for the Development and Coordination of American National Standards

The following is an overview of PMI’s standards development process:

1. A notice is placed on PMI’s volunteer platform for opportunities to participate in standard development. A Development Team of subject matter experts (SMEs) is assembled from the pool of applicants to develop content for the new standard. An additional group of SMEs is selected to serve as a Review Team to provide ongoing feedback as content is developed. PMI’s product owner of the standard serves to assist the teams and provide guidance during the development and review process.

2. The teams meet over a period of several months to draft and refine the standard.

3. The draft document is made available for public comment in a Draft Comment Period (DCP). The Development Team considers these comments and revises the draft, as appropriate.

4. The fully-edited draft is sent for approval to the Standards Consensus Committee (SCC), a group of independent volunteers, who approves the content and determines consensus of each PMI standard. At the same time, the fully-edited draft is posted for another comment period, known as a BSR-8 public comment, fulfilling the ANSI requirement. These comments are addressed per ANSI essential requirements.

Upon approval by ANSI and PMI internal stakeholders, the new standard is made available.

Information about current standards projects and volunteer opportunities can be found at: https://www.pmi.org/standards/about

Comment on existing standards

If you find an error in a PMI standard, have a question or a suggestion for changes, please use our comment form to submit your recommendations to [email protected].

PMI Standards Program Comment Form Download

International Standards Activities

PMI administers the ISO/TC 258 on behalf of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). For details on current TC 258 activities, please visit the ISO TC 258 website

Interested in participating?

If you are interested in participating in ISO/TC 258, you must first join your country’s mirror committee. Start by contacting your country’s national standards body.

If you or your organization are domiciled in the United States and would like to participate in ISO/TC 258 activities, you can join the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (U.S. TAG), an ANSI-accredited committee comprised of subject matter experts, individuals and entities directly and materially affected by the standards activities of ISO/TC 258. To become a member of the U.S. TAG, email [email protected]. 

The U.S. TAG has an ongoing call for technical experts. See a short presentation to learn the requirements for participation and how to apply.

US TAG to ISO TC 258 Outreach Presentation-2023