Appendix A

Guidelines for a Project Management Institute Practice Standard

• Each practice standard provides guidelines on the mechanics (e.g., nuts and bolts, basics, fundamentals, step-by-step usage guide, how it operates, how to do it) of some significant process (input, tool, technique, or output) that is relevant to a project manager.
• A practice standard does not necessarily mirror the life-cycle phases of many projects. However, an individual practice standard may be applicable to the completion of one or more phases within a project.
• A practice standard does not necessarily mirror the knowledge areas within A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide–Third Edition), although an individual practice standard will provide sufficient detail and background for one or more of the inputs, tools and techniques, and/or outputs. Therefore, practice standards are not required to use the name of any Knowledge Area.
• Each practice standard should include information on what the significant process is and does, why it is significant, when it should be performed and, if necessary for further clarification, who should perform it.
• Each practice standard should include information that is accepted and applicable for most projects most of the time within the project management community. Processes that are generally restricted or applicable to one industry, country, or companion profession (i.e., an application area) may be included as an appendix for informational purposes, rather than part of the practice standard. With strong support and evidence, an application area-specific process may be considered as an extension of a practice standard, in the same manner as extensions to the PMBOK® Guide–Third Edition are considered.
• Each practice standard will benefit from the inclusion of examples and templates in the appendices. It is best when an example or template includes a discussion of its strengths and weaknesses. A background description may be necessary to place this discussion in the appropriate context. The examples and templates featured should be aligned with the relevant information that appears in the standard or other appendices.
• All practice standards will be written in the same general style and format, in accordance with PMI’s preferred style manual.
• Each practice standard project will assess the need to align with or reference other practice standards.
• Each practice standard will be consistent with the current edition of the PMBOK® Guide.
• Each practice standard is intended to be more prescriptive than the current edition of the PMBOK® Guide.