The guide provides the foundation that enables the organization to conduct projects in a disciplined, well-managed, and consistent manner so that quality products are completed on time and within budget. Throughout the guide reference will be made to the International Project Management Commission  (IPMC) and the Project Management Executive Protocol Guide (PMEPG). IPMC has established the industry standards for project management and the PMEPG embodies those standards.

Chapter 1 is an introduction to Project Management Best Practices as embodied in the PMEPG as well as other best practices used in both industry and government and describes how those are integrated into the framework to create a holistic approach to managing projects. The guide does not simply restate the standards and processes defined by IPMC’s PMEPG but establishes an application of those standards to the Project Management Framework. The guide provides the methods addressing “what needs to be done” and “how it is to be done” in the execution and management of projects.

Large, complex projects require a more rigorous application of management processes than small, non-complex projects with readily achievable goals. The Project Manager assesses the project characteristics to determine how to tailor the information in the guide to that specific project and determine which project management processes will be required. This “tailoring” effort is reflected in the Project Management Plan and its associated documentation.

Additionally, the guide should be evaluated and refined over time (continuous improvement) in order to maintain the applicability, usability and acceptability of the processes and techniques defined. As the guide is implemented, lessons learned from its use will become invaluable to the continuous improvement effort.