Standards Comparison

    PMBOK

    Voluntary
    2021

    Global framework for project management practices and governance

    VS

    Basel III

    Mandatory
    2010

    Global framework for bank capital, leverage, liquidity standards

    Quick Verdict

    PMBOK, PMI's project management standard, provides principles, processes, and tailoring for governance, risk control, and value delivery; companies use it to standardize practices and improve performance. Basel III, BCBS's banking regulation, strengthens capital quality, leverage ratios, and liquidity (LCR/NSFR); banks adopt it for resilience and compliance.

    Project Management

    PMBOK

    Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Five Process Groups organizing project lifecycle activities
    • Ten Knowledge Areas spanning core management disciplines
    • ITTO framework for 49 processes with inputs, tools, outputs
    • Tailoring for predictive, agile, hybrid project approaches
    • 12 Principles and performance domains driving value delivery
    Financial Risk Management

    Basel III

    Basel III: Global Regulatory Framework for Banks

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Strengthened CET1 capital minimums and buffers
    • Non-risk-based leverage ratio backstop
    • Liquidity Coverage Ratio for 30-day stress
    • Net Stable Funding Ratio for funding stability
    • Output floor and RWA comparability disclosures

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    PMBOK Details

    What It Is

    PMBOK® Guide, or Project Management Body of Knowledge, is a global standard and guide by PMI for project management practices. It provides principles, performance domains, and processes for delivering projects across industries, emphasizing tailoring to context like predictive, agile, or hybrid approaches.

    Key Components

    • Five **Process GroupsInitiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring/Controlling, Closing.
    • Ten **Knowledge AreasIntegration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resources, Communications, Risk, Procurement, Stakeholders.
    • ITTOs for ~49 processes; 12 Principles and performance domains in recent editions.
    • No formal certification for the guide itself; aligns with PMP credentialing.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives predictability, risk reduction, and value delivery. Offers governance baseline, standardization for high performance (3x more likely per PMI research), compliance embedding via controls. Builds stakeholder trust, competitive edge through common language.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased rollout: assess gaps, tailor processes, train via PMP paths, deploy tools/PMO. Suits all sizes/industries; 12-24 months typical. Focuses on pilots, OCM, continuous improvement via OPM3.

    Basel III Details

    What It Is

    Basel III is the global regulatory framework issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) post-2007 financial crisis. This prudential standard enhances bank resilience by improving capital quality and quantity, constraining leverage, and mandating liquidity buffers. It employs a multi-metric approach combining risk-weighted capital ratios with simpler leverage and liquidity constraints to address model risks and ensure comparability.

    Key Components

    • **Three PillarsPillar 1 (minimum capital ratios: CET1 4.5%, Tier 1 6%, Total 8%; leverage ratio 3%; LCR/NSFR 100%), Pillar 2 (supervisory review/ICAAP), Pillar 3 (enhanced disclosures).
    • Capital buffers (conservation 2.5%, countercyclical, G-SIB/D-SIB).
    • Output floor limits internal model benefits; standardized risk approaches.
    • National implementation without centralized certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for internationally active banks via jurisdictional laws; reduces systemic risks, improves loss absorption, and boosts transparency. Strategic benefits include optimized balance sheets, lower funding costs, and competitive resilience. Enhances investor trust and market discipline.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased enterprise transformation: gap analysis, data/system upgrades, model governance, training, disclosures. Targets large banks globally; varies by jurisdiction/timeline. Involves ongoing reporting, stress testing, and supervisory engagement.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about PMBOK and Basel III

    PMBOK FAQ

    Basel III FAQ

    You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

    Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

    Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

    Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

    100+ Standards & Regulations
    AI-Powered Insights
    Collaborative Assessments
    Actionable Recommendations

    Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages