The Standards Evolution
Setting the gold standard in project management for over 50 years
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:
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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.
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The teams meet over a period of several months to draft and refine the standard.
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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.
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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
Current PMI standards projects
Leading AI Transformation: Organizational Strategies for Project Professionals
Discover our Leading AI Transformation: Organizational Strategies for Project Professionals guide and gain insight into how project managers, PMOs, and TMOs work together to champion AI transformation at the organizational level. This guide covers the entire AI adoption lifecycle and governance strategies to ensure quality and manage risks while ensuring AI-driven initiatives support company goals.
Leading AI Transformation: Organizational Strategies for Project Professionals is available as a free digital download to PMI members.
For any inquiries or feedback, please reach out to PMI for Support and Service or contact the PMI Standards Team at [email protected].
Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program, and Project Management
The Draft Comment Period (DCP) for The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program, and Project Management closed 7 April, 2025. Thank you to those who participated and provided feedback to this valued resource. All comments made during the DCP will be reviewed by the Development Team, comprised of volunteer practitioners. If the team chooses to make the requested change, the commenter will see their change incorporated when the draft is posted during the ANSI BSR-8 Comment period. Further updates and announcements for the BSR-8 Comment period will be made available.
For questions regarding the process, please Contact PMI for Support and Service.
To learn more about all PMIxAI Initiatives visit our AI in Project Management page
PMBOK® Guide – Eighth Edition
The PMBOK® Guide – Eighth Edition is currently undergoing a revision. This will be the most data-driven update yet, with proposed changes included but not limited to:
- Current industry practices and emerging trends,
- Updated terminology and definitions;
- Reintroducing an evolved set of processes that provide guidance on the technical ways of working and job tasks/activities;
- Expanded coverage of Project Management Focus Areas (previously known as Process Groups);
- Enhanced set of Project Principles and Performance Domains;
- Streamlined description of common Inputs and Outputs, as well as Tools and Techniques;
- And more!
AI Essentials for Project Professionals
We are thrilled to unveil AI Essentials for Project Professionals, a new guide that offers an in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence. This guide covers fundamental AI concepts, its history, and the growing significance of AI in contemporary technology. It provides invaluable insights for practitioners aiming to grasp AI trends and patterns that are transforming industries, along with practical strategies to integrate AI into their project environments.
AI Essentials for Project Professionals is available as a free digital download to PMI members.
For any inquiries or feedback, please reach out to PMI for Support and Service or contact the PMI Standards Team at [email protected].
The Standard for Program Management—Fifth Edition
We are excited to announce the launch of The Standard for Program Management—Fifth Edition, a comprehensive guide approved by ANSI. This latest edition dives deeper into the principles that govern program management, making it an indispensable tool for portfolio, program and project managers, senior executives and stakeholders.
PMI members can access The Standard for Program Management—Fifth Edition as a complimentary digital download. Digital and print versions are available for purchase to members and non-members through PMI's online bookstore and other retail outlets as of April 2024.
For questions or comments, please contact the PMI Standards Team at [email protected].
Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and Projects: A Practice Guide
The Draft Comment Period (DCP) for the Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and Projects: A Practice Guide closed 19 February 2024. Thank you to those who participated and provided feedback to this valued resource. All comments made during the DCP will be reviewed by the Development Team, comprised of volunteer practitioners. If the team chooses to make the requested change, the commenter will see their change incorporated when the practice guide is published.
For questions or comments, please contact the PMI Standards Team at [email protected].
Business Analysis: A Practice Guide —Second Edition
PMI’s Standards and Publications department announces the launch of Business Analysis: A Practice Guide (Second Edition). This revised edition makes business analysis, including requirements management, accessible in both professional and daily life. Concepts in the previous edition are expanded and clarified through the introduction of a case study with new examples, illustrations, and graphics in a modern format and layout.
Business Analysis: A Practice Guide (Second Edition) is available as a free digital download to PMI members. The print and digital versions will be available for purchase by both members and non-members through PMI’s online bookstore as well as retail outlets as of January 2024.
For questions or comments, please contact the PMI Standards Team at [email protected].
Changes from the PMBOK® Guide - Sixth Edition to the Seventh Edition
The degree of change with the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh edition is more significant than what you may have seen in the past. We’ve restructured the content and introduced a principle-based structure that summarizes what and why of project management. Here is a quick snapshot of the changes.
International standards activities
To promote the project management profession, PMI volunteers and staff participate in a number of international standards activities.
ISO, the International Standards Organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland develops international standards related to a wide variety of topics. ISO’s Technical Committee TC258 develops standards for project, program, and portfolio management and related topics. TC258 has developed the following International Standards published by ISO:
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ISO 21500 Project, programme and portfolio management — Context and concepts
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ISO 21502 Project, programme and portfolio management — Guidance on project management
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ISO 21503 Project, programme and portfolio management — Guidance on programme management
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ISO 21504 Project, programme and portfolio management — Guidance on portfolio management
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ISO 21505 Project, programme and portfolio management — Guidance on governance
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ISO 21506 Project, programme and portfolio management — Vocabulary
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ISO 21508 Earned value management in project and programme management
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ISO 21511 Work breakdown structures for project and programme management
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ISO 21512 Project, Programme and portfolio management — Earned value management implementation guidance.
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
Members of the U.S. TAG are guided by a Code of Conduct which outlines responsibilities and consequences of any violations.