Reference: ISO/CD 21511 | Work Breakdown Structures| Committee: ISO/TC 258 | Type: Committee Draft (CD) | ISO Stage 30: Committee |
The revision of ISO 21511:2018 – Work Breakdown Structures for Project and Programme Management has reached a significant milestone.
Following extensive updates by Working Group 12 (WG 12), the Committee Draft (CD) for ISO 21511 (Edition 2) has now been submitted for consideration by ISO/TC 258 members. The consultation period runs from 30 May 2025 to 25 July 2025.
The updated Committee Draft of the standard, now titled: Project, programme and portfolio management — Work breakdown structures. This revision aligns the standard with contemporary practices across project, programme, and portfolio management (PPPM), and enhances guidance on developing, using, and integrating work breakdown structures (WBS) to improve scope definition, clarity, and delivery outcomes.
This committee draft reflects current best practices and input from international experts, and represents the next step in aligning project and programme work breakdown structures with evolving needs across sectors and geographies.
What’s New in Edition 2?
- Incorporation of broader PPPM context beyond just projects
- Updated terminology and structure for better usability
- Clearer alignment with ISO 21502, 21503, and 21504
- Improved visual guidance and structure examples
All ISO/TC 258 members are encouraged to:
- Review the Committee Draft in detail
- Submit comments using the official ISO Comment Template
- Engage with national mirror committees or relevant liaison channels for coordinated input where applicable
Your contributions at this stage are critical to shaping the future of this important standard. Your feedback helps ensure the standard reflects diverse, international perspectives and supports practitioners across industries. By participating at this stage, you contribute to the development of consensus for a practical, globally relevant tool for managing work breakdown structures.
Contact your national member body to coordinate your contribution to this revised draft. A-Liaison organizations and other ISO TC in liaison with ISO/TC 258 are also invited to submit comments on the committee draft.
