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The following procedure was established as Institute policy by a vote of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Board of Directors at its October 1993 meeting.

A.1 PMI Standards Documents
PMI Standards Documents are those developed or published by PMI that describe generally accepted practices of project management, specifically:
  • A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
  • Project Management Body of Knowledge Handbooks.
  Additional documents may be added to this list by the Director of Standards subject to the advice and consent of PMI’s Professional Development Group (PDG).
Standards Documents may be original works published by PMI or they may be publications of other organizations or individuals.
  Standards Documents will be developed in accordance with the “Code of Good Practice for Standardization” developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

A.2 Development of Original Works
Standards Documents that are original works to be published by PMI will be developed as follows:
  • Prospective developer(s) will submit a proposal to the Director of Standards. The Director may also request such proposals. The Director will accept or reject such proposals and will inform the proposer as to the rationale for the decision. If the proposal requires funding in excess of that budgeted for standards development, the Director will submit the proposal to the PMI Board before approving it.
  • The Director will support the developer’s efforts so as to maximize the probability that the end product will be accepted.
  • When the proposed material has been completed to the satisfaction of the developer, the developer will submit the material to the Director of Standards. The Director will appoint at least three knowledgeable individuals to review and comment on the material. Based on comments received, the Director will decide whether to accept the material as an Exposure Draft. Developer(s) will be required to sign PMI’s standard copyright release prior to publication of the Exposure Draft.
  • Exposure Drafts will be published under the aegis of the PMI Publications Board and must meet the standards of that group regarding typography and style.
  • Exposure Drafts will be generally available to anyone who wishes to review the material. The Director of Standards will define a review period of not less than six months for all Exposure Drafts. Each Exposure Draft will include a notice asking for comments to be sent to the Director and noting the expiration of the review period.
  • At the conclusion of the review period, the Director of Standards will review comments received and will work with the developer(s) and others as needed to incorporate appropriate comments. If the comments are major, the Director may elect to repeat the Exposure Draft review process. The Director will promptly submit proposed Standards Documents to the PDG for review and approval. The PDG may (a) approve the document as submitted; (b) reject the document; or (c) require a repetition of the Exposure Draft review process.

A.3 Adoption of Non-Original Works as Standards
Standards Documents that are the work of other organizations or individuals will be handled as follows:
  • Anyone may submit a request to the Director of Standards to consider a non-PMI publication as a PMI Standard. The Director will appoint at least three knowledgeable individuals to consider the material. If the comments received are positive, the Director will prepare a proposal for the PDG to consider regarding a prospective relationship with the owner(s) of the material.
  • The Director’s proposal shall address the review and approval process, possible effects on Certification and Accreditation, whether or not PMI Board action is needed, and any financial considerations.