There is no universal method for managing a project. There are several “industry standard” project methodologies in use, all of which can work, depending upon the context of the project and how effectively they are applied. However, simply following a methodology does not guarantee success. It merely provides the project manager with a framework and set of tools to help them. A good project manager must utilise more than just documents and processes. They require excellent skills in people management, communications, leadership, presentation and organisation.

Industry-standard methodologies
Most project methodologies are created by or aligned to a Project Management institution or association. We have identified some of the primary Project Management institutions and their methodologies below. If you would like to suggest other institutions or methodologies to add to this list, please contact us using the form at the bottom of this page.

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an independent office of the UK’s HM Treasury, established to help Government deliver best value from its spending. OGC provides policy standards and guidance on best practice in areas including project management. Its project methodologies have been adopted by both government agencies and private sector organisations across the world, and are highly regarded as some of the leading accreditations available to project and ICT professionals.

- PRINCE2® - (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a widely used project management method that navigates you through all the essentials for running a successful project. PRINCE2 is a flexible method and is aimed at all types of projects.
- P3M3 - The Portfolio, Programme, and Project Management Maturity Model (P3M3) has become a key standard amongst maturity models, providing a framework with which organisations can assess their current performance and put in place improvement plans.
- P3O - The new P3O guidance - aligned to OGC's PRINCE2, MSP, and M_o_R - brings together in one place a set of principles, processes and techniques to facilitate effective portfolio, programme and project management through enablement, challenge and support structures.
- MSP - Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) comprises a set of principles and processes for use when managing a programme. It is founded on best practice although it is not prescriptive. It is very flexible and designed to be adapted to meet the needs of local circumstances.
- ITIL - ITIL® is the most widely accepted approach to IT service management in the world. ITIL provides a cohesive set of best practice, drawn from the public and private sectors internationally.
- MoR – Management of Risk (MOR) considers risk from different perspectives within an organisation: strategic, programme, project and operational. While it links to other OGC Best Practice, it respects the roles, responsibilities and terminologies used outside the disciplines of programme and project management.

Association of Project Management (APM) – UK

APM is the largest independent professional body of its kind in Europe, with 17,500 individual and 500 corporate members throughout the UK and abroad. Their aim is to develop and promote project management across all sectors of industry and beyond. The Association for Project Management has combined its members’ extensive experience in developing the science and art of project management. This is encapsulated in the APM Body of Knowledge, qualifications and other research activities and disseminated through its members, and more widely via print, electronic media and events.

APM Certification: APM has a progressive structure of qualifications from the APM Introductory Certificate in Project Management® through to Certificated Project Manager®. Your level of experience will give you an indication of which level is appropriate for you:

Project Management Institute (PMI) – USA

The PMI is a leading not-for-profit membership association for the project management profession, with more than half a million members and credential holders in 185 countries. It provides globally-recognized standards and credentials, an extensive research program and professional development opportunities.

PMBOK – Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is a project management guide, and an internationally recognized standard, that provides the fundamentals of project management as they apply to a wide range of projects, including construction, software, engineering, automotive, etc. The purpose of the PMBOK is to provide and promote a common vocabulary within the project management profession for discussing, writing, and applying project management concepts.

OPM3 - The Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3) is a globally recognized best-practice standard for assessing and developing capabilities in Portfolio Management, Program Management, and Project Management. OPM3 provides a method for organizations to understand their Organizational Project Management processes and measure their capabilities in preparation for improvement. OPM3 then helps organizations develop the roadmap that the company will follow to improve performance.

PMI Certification

PMI also offers a comprehensive certification program for different levels of education and experience, including one certification and four project management credentials, which are accredited against the ISO standards. The program includes the following:
- CAPM – Certificate Associate in Project Management (CAPM) – basic level accreditation for people who contribute to a project team.
- PMI-SP – PMI Scheduling Professional – accreditation to develop and maintain a project schedule.
- PMI-RMP – PMI Risk Management Professional – accreditation in the assessment and identification of risks, to mitigate threats and capitalise on opportunities.
- PMP – Project Management Professional – accreditation for those wishing to lead and direct a project.
- PgMP – Program Management Professional – accreditation for program managers who are responsible for defining and overseeing multiple projects and resources.

The IAPPM is a leading project and program organization representing thousands of individual members in more than 30 countries. Membership is comprised of all levels of business professionals--executives, analysts, management and practitioners--all of whom are dedicated to the promotion of advanced project, program and portfolio governance, control and management. IAPPM provides useful information for global best practices and practical standards.

IAPPM Certification:

IAPPM administers several globally accepted and recognized certification programs, including:
- CPM - The Certified Project Manager (CPM) credential is for experienced project and program managers and senior level managers, who want to build on expertise, acquire new skills, and expand their knowledge focusing on today’s higher-level strategic project and program management issues.
- CPP - The Certified Project Professional (CPP) credential is designed to recognize individuals who seek to establish and demonstrate a common base of knowledge and terms in the field of project and program management, such as project team members, students at undergraduate and graduate students, and entry-level project management practitioners who will use CPP as a stepping-stone to achieve Certified Project Manager (CPM) credential.
- CPD - The Certified Project Director (CPD) is the globally recognized project and program management credential, which is designed for senior and experienced project and program management executives, who want to go beyond the CPM and other business / project management certifications. The CPD certification allows experienced senior managers and executives to acquire new skills and advanced techniques in managing and controlling today’s complex project and program management issues – from managing risks and quality to managing scope and budgets.
- CIPA - The Certified International Project Auditor (CIPA) is one of the leading global project and program auditing certifications available. This CIPA certification allows experienced project and program managers and executives to become proficient at auditing and assessing projects, programs and portfolios within their organizations, clients or have the need to do so independently.

IPMA® is a world leading non-profit making project management organisation. It represents more than 50 project management associations from all continents of the world. IPMA® actively promotes project management to businesses and organisations around the world.

ICB - The IPMA Competence Baseline (ICB) is the basis for the IPMA 4 Level certification system. It is a standard that is invaluable to practitioners and stakeholders. The ICB sets out the knowledge and experience expected from the managers of projects, programmes and project portfolios. It contains basic terms, practices, methods and tools for professional project management, as well as specialist knowledge and experience. The 4-level certification for project managers is listed below:

- Level D - Certified Project Management Associate.
Experience in the project management competence elements is not compulsory; but it is an advantage if the candidate already has applied his project management knowledge to some extent.
- Level C - Certified Project Manager
Requires at least three years of project management experience in responsible leadership functions of projects with limited complexity.
- Level B - Certified Senior Project Manager
Requires at least five years of project management experience, of which three years were in responsible leadership functions of complex projects.
- Level A - Certified Projects Director
Requires at least five years of experience in portfolio management and/or programme management with strategic relevance, of which three years were in responsible leadership functions in the management of complex portfolios or programmes and has two years of experience in managing projects (entry requirement).

The AIPM is the primary body for project management in Australia. Originally formed as the Project Managers' Forum, AIPM has been instrumental in the progression of project management in Australia over the past 30 years. The AIPM provides 3 levels of certification for Project Managers, as well as an Organisation accreditation:

RegPM - Registered Project Manager (RegPM) is AIPM's project management certification program. It involves an individually designed competency-based workplace assessment program. Applicants are required to compile evidence that displays their competence in project management. It can be awarded at one of three levels:
- Certified Practising Project Practitioner (CPPP)
- Certified Practising Project Manager (CPPM)
- Certified Practising Project Director (CPPD)

Project Managed Organisation (PMO) accreditation - AIPM operates an assessment-based accreditation program to recognise organisations which have embarked on a process to continually improve their project management capabilities on an organisation-wide basis.

Other useful links to Project Methodologies and Standards

GAPPS - The Global Alliance for Project Performance Standards (GAPPS), formerly known as the Global Performance Standards for Project Management Personnel Initiative, is a volunteer organisation that provides a forum for stakeholders from differing systems, backgrounds, and operating contexts to work together to create performance based frameworks and standards that address the needs of the global project management community.