ISO 21505-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 21505:2017 — Project, programme and portfolio management — Guidance on governance. This International Standard describes the context in which governance of projects, programmes and portfolios is conducted and provides guidance to governing bodies, executive and senior management, sponsors, steering committees, portfolio owners and project management functions on setting up, operating and assuring governance arrangements.

Abstract

ISO 21505:2017 provides guidance on principles, structures, roles, responsibilities, processes and practices for governance of projects, programmes and portfolios. It may be used for design, assessment, assurance or verification of governance arrangements and is intended for both those who establish governance (governing bodies and senior management) and those who operate under it (sponsors, PMOs, project/programme/portfolio managers and other stakeholders).

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard, confirmed in ISO five‑year review cycle).
• Publication date: March 2017 (corrected version May 2017).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 03.100.40 (Project, programme and portfolio management).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2017).
• Number of pages: 20 pages in the ISO publication (national/adopted publications may show different pagination).

Scope

ISO 21505 describes the context for governance of projects, programmes and portfolios and provides guidance for establishing and operating governance arrangements that align with an organisation’s overall governance, values and objectives. It covers governance principles, the relationship between organisational governance and delegated governance for projects/programmes/portfolios, oversight and assurance, stakeholder considerations, and integration across participating organisations. The standard is intended to be applicable across sectors and organisational types.

Key topics and requirements

• Governance principles and values (alignment with organisational values; ethics and sustainability considerations).
• Roles, responsibilities and authority for governing bodies, sponsors, steering committees, portfolio owners and delegated governance entities.
• Integration of project/programme/portfolio governance with the organisation’s overall governance framework.
• Decision‑making, escalation and delegation mechanisms to ensure clear accountability and timely oversight.
• Performance oversight, assurance and verification (including information needs, reporting and evidence for governance decisions).
• Stakeholder identification, engagement and consideration of cultural, ethical and community norms.
• Information integrity, confidentiality, transparency and balancing availability of information for governance purposes.
• Continuous improvement of the governance framework (reviews, lessons learned, refinement of governance structures).

Typical use and users

Used by governing bodies, executive and senior management who set or influence governance; sponsors, steering committees and portfolio owners who direct work; project, programme and portfolio managers and PMOs who operate within governance arrangements; and assurance, audit or oversight functions assessing governance effectiveness. It is suitable for public and private sector organisations, suppliers, partners and other stakeholders involved in multi‑organisational initiatives.

Related standards

ISO 21505 is part of the ISO family addressing project, programme and portfolio management and is commonly referenced alongside ISO 21500 (Guidance on project management), ISO 21504 (Guidance on portfolio management) and related governance standards (for example ISO/IEC 38500 on IT governance). National adoptions (BS, DIN, etc.) may publish identical or adopted texts with different pagination.

Keywords

Governance, project governance, programme governance, portfolio governance, roles and responsibilities, oversight, assurance, stakeholders, decision‑making, ethics, sustainability, PMO, sponsor, steering committee.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 21505:2017 is International Standard guidance on governance for projects, programmes and portfolios—providing principles, structures and practices to establish and assure governance arrangements.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the context for governance, governance principles and values, roles and authorities, integration with organisational governance, decision‑making and escalation, stakeholder considerations, performance oversight and assurance, and information integrity.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Governing bodies and senior management, sponsors and steering committees, portfolio owners, PMOs, project/programme/portfolio managers, and assurance or audit functions. It is applicable across sectors and organisational types.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2017 edition is the current published version; ISO records that the publication was reviewed and confirmed (as current) in the five‑year review process (confirmation noted in 2022).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it sits within the ISO 21500 series of guidance for project, programme and portfolio management and is routinely used alongside ISO 21500 (project management guidance) and ISO 21504 (portfolio management), among other related governance standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Governance, project governance, programme governance, portfolio governance, oversight, assurance, roles, ethics, sustainability, stakeholders, PMO, sponsor.