PMBOK
Global guide for project management principles and practices
COPPA
U.S. federal regulation protecting children's online privacy under 13
Quick Verdict
PMBOK provides voluntary project management frameworks for global organizations seeking predictable delivery, while COPPA mandates parental consent for children's data collection by US online operators. Companies adopt PMBOK for efficiency; COPPA to avoid massive FTC fines.
PMBOK
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)
Key Features
- Tailoring guidelines adapting to project size and complexity
- Six core principles focusing on value and sustainability
- Seven performance domains spanning governance to risk
- Hybrid predictive-agile process guidance and models
- Earned Value Management for cost-schedule predictability
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
Key Features
- Mandates verifiable parental consent before data collection
- Broad personal information definition including geolocation, IDs
- Applies to child-directed websites, apps, IoT worldwide
- Provides parental rights to review and delete data
- FTC enforcement with $43,792 per violation penalties
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
PMBOK Details
What It Is
PMBOK® Guide, authored by Project Management Institute (PMI), is a comprehensive global standard and framework for project management practices. Its primary purpose is to codify principles, performance domains, processes, and tools for delivering value through projects. The Eighth Edition employs a principle-led, tailoring-based approach blending mindset, domains, and non-prescriptive guidance.
Key Components
- **Six Core PrinciplesHolistic view, value focus, quality, accountable leadership, sustainability, empowered teams.
- **Seven Performance DomainsGovernance, scope, schedule, finance, stakeholders, resources, risk.
- Legacy five Process Groups and ten Knowledge Areas for operational use.
- No formal certification for the guide itself; aligns with PMP® credentialing.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives predictability, reduces overruns, aligns projects to strategy. Mitigates contractual, audit, reputational risks. Enables hybrid agility, competitive differentiation, stakeholder trust via standardized language and metrics like EVM.
Implementation Overview
Phased framework: alignment, gap analysis, tailoring, build, pilot, rollout, improvement. Applies to all sizes/sectors; requires PMO, training, tools like PMIS. Tailor per context; audits ensure maturity.
COPPA Details
What It Is
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal regulation, enacted in 1998 and effective April 2000. Enforced by the FTC, it protects children under 13 from unauthorized online personal data collection by commercial websites, apps, and IoT devices directed at kids or with actual knowledge of their users. Its parent-centric approach mandates verifiable parental consent before collection, use, or disclosure.
Key Components
- **Verifiable Parental Consent (VPC)11+ methods like credit cards, video calls.
- Broad personal information scope: names, geolocation, persistent IDs, audio/video files (post-2013).
- Privacy notices, parental review/deletion rights, data minimization, security safeguards.
- Optional safe harbors for audited compliance.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for operators to avoid $43,792 per violation fines (e.g., YouTube's $170M). Enhances parent trust, reduces breach risks, meets legal obligations, and provides competitive edge in child-focused sectors like gaming and edtech.
Implementation Overview
Assess child-directed status, deploy age gates/VPC, update policies, secure data. Applies globally to U.S.-targeting services; suits all sizes with tools like policy generators. FTC audits; safe harbors streamline.
Key Differences
| Aspect | PMBOK | COPPA |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Project management principles, processes, domains | Children's online personal data privacy |
| Industry | All sectors worldwide, any size | Online services targeting US children under 13 |
| Nature | Voluntary global standard/framework | Mandatory US federal regulation |
| Testing | Internal audits, maturity assessments, pilots | FTC enforcement, compliance audits |
| Penalties | No legal penalties, reputational risk | $43,792 per violation, FTC fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PMBOK and COPPA
PMBOK FAQ
COPPA FAQ
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