ISO 21508-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 21508:2018 — Earned value management in project and programme management. Provides guidance on the application of earned value management (EVM) as an integrated approach to measure and control cost, schedule and performance across projects and programmes.

Abstract

ISO 21508:2018 gives terms and definitions, describes the purpose and benefits of earned value management, explains its integration with project and programme management, outlines relevant processes and process descriptions, specifies basic requirements for an earned value management system, and describes use of such a system. It does not prescribe specific methods or tools; annexes cover cost, schedule and performance analysis, commonly used formulae and integration with other PPPM processes.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (superseded by a new edition published in 2026).
• Publication date: 2018-04-25 (first edition published April 2018).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 03.100.40 (Research and development; project, programme and portfolio management).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 25.

(All general bibliographic details and lifecycle information as recorded by ISO.)

Scope

Applies to the practice of earned value management within project and programme management across all organization types and sizes and any project or programme complexity. The standard provides guidance on what an EVM approach should cover (terminology, purpose and benefits, integration, processes, system requirements and use) but does not mandate specific processes, methods or tools. Annexes provide illustrative analysis techniques and formulae for cost, schedule and performance evaluation.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and core EVM terminology.
• Purpose and expected benefits of implementing EVM (improved measurement, transparency, decision support).
• Integration of EVM with project and programme management processes and governance.
• Overview of EVM-related processes and process descriptions.
• Basic requirements for an earned value management system (data, baselines, measurement, reporting and control practices).
• Guidance on use and interpretation of earned value indicators; annexes with cost/schedule/performance analysis and common formulae.

These topics form the primary guidance the standard offers for establishing or improving EVM capability.

Typical use and users

Used by project, programme and portfolio managers; PMOs; project controllers and schedulers; contract and commercial managers; auditors and assurance teams; and organisations (public and private) implementing or maturing earned value management practices across single projects, programmes or portfolios. It is sector‑agnostic and intended for organisations seeking consistent measurement of cost, schedule and performance.

Related standards

Closely related to the ISO PPPM family and project management guidance (for example, standards addressing project, programme and portfolio management and governance). Note: ISO 21508:2018 has been revised and a new edition (ISO 21508:2026) has been published to replace the 2018 edition.

Keywords

Earned value management; EVM; performance measurement; cost control; schedule control; project management; programme management; PMO; performance indicators.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 21508:2018 is an international guidance standard on earned value management in project and programme management that describes terms, purposes, processes and basic system requirements for EVM.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definitions, the benefits and objectives of EVM, integration with project/programme management, an overview of EVM processes, basic requirements for an EVM system, how to use EVM outputs, and annexed analysis/formulae for cost, schedule and performance. It does not mandate specific tools or detailed methods.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Project and programme managers, PMOs, schedulers, project controllers, commercial/contract managers, auditors and organisations implementing or improving earned value management practices across sectors.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 edition has been withdrawn and superseded by a new edition published in 2026; the ISO lifecycle records the 2018 document as withdrawn and shows ISO 21508:2026 as the revised publication. (ISO withdrawal recorded 2026-02-06.)

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ISO project, programme and portfolio management (PPPM) family of standards and aligns with other ISO guidance on project, programme and portfolio governance and management practices.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Earned value management, EVM, performance measurement, cost control, schedule control, project management, programme management, PMO.