What are the key differences and similarities between ISO 21500 and ISO 21502 for project engineering?

1 ISO 21500 overview

ISO 21500, published in 2012, is a high-level standard that describes the concepts, processes, and terminology of project management. It is based on the best practices and common knowledge of project management professionals from various industries and sectors. It is intended to be a reference guide for anyone involved in or affected by projects, regardless of the size, complexity, or type of the project.

2 ISO 21502 overview

ISO 21502, published in 2020, is a more detailed and comprehensive standard that provides guidance on the application of project management. It is based on the principles and themes of ISO 21500, but it also covers additional aspects such as governance, context, stakeholders, resources, and value. It is intended to be a practical tool for project managers and project teams, as well as for project sponsors, owners, and other stakeholders.

3 Key differences

One of the key differences between ISO 21500 and ISO 21502 is the level of detail and specificity. ISO 21500 is more generic and abstract, while ISO 21502 is more specific and concrete. For example, ISO 21500 defines 39 processes for project management, while ISO 21502 defines 111 processes. ISO 21500 also does not prescribe how to implement the processes, while ISO 21502 provides more guidance and examples on how to apply them.

Another key difference is the scope and focus of the standards. ISO 21500 is more focused on the project itself, while ISO 21502 is more focused on the project environment and the value creation. For example, ISO 21502 emphasizes the importance of aligning the project with the organizational strategy, objectives, and culture, as well as the needs and expectations of the stakeholders. ISO 21502 also introduces the concept of value management, which aims to maximize the benefits and minimize the costs and risks of the project.

5 How to use them for project engineering

As a project engineer, you can use both ISO 21500 and ISO 21502 to improve your project management skills and practices. You can use ISO 21500 as a general framework and reference for understanding the key concepts and processes of project management. You can use ISO 21502 as a more detailed and comprehensive guide for applying project management to your specific project situation and environment. You can also use both standards to align your project with the international best practices and standards of project management, and to demonstrate your professionalism and competence to your clients, stakeholders, and peers.

6 Benefits and challenges

Using ISO 21500 and ISO 21502 for project engineering can bring many benefits, such as enhancing performance and quality, increasing stakeholder satisfaction, reducing costs and risks, improving communication and collaboration, and supporting innovation and value creation. Additionally, it can develop project management knowledge and capabilities. Nevertheless, there are some challenges associated with this approach, such as adapting the standards to specific project needs, balancing flexibility with consistency, integrating the standards with existing methods and tools, managing the change and learning curve of adoption, and measuring the impact of using the standards.