Standards Comparison

    PMBOK

    Voluntary
    2021

    Global standard for project management practices and governance

    VS

    ISO 22000

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for food safety management systems

    Quick Verdict

    PMBOK provides project governance frameworks for all industries, while ISO 22000 mandates food safety systems for food chain organizations. Companies adopt PMBOK for delivery success and ISO 22000 for hazard control and certification.

    Project Management

    PMBOK

    PMBOK® Guide – Project Management Body of Knowledge

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

    Key Features

    • Tailoring for predictive, adaptive, hybrid project approaches
    • 49 processes via ITTOs ensuring traceability and integration
    • Five Process Groups spanning full project lifecycle
    • Ten Knowledge Areas covering core management disciplines
    • 12 principles and performance domains for value delivery
    Food Safety

    ISO 22000

    ISO 22000:2018 Food safety management systems

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • High-Level Structure (HLS) for integrated management systems
    • Dual PDCA cycles for organizational and operational control
    • HACCP-based hazard analysis with PRP, OPRP, CCP categorization
    • Interactive communication across food chain actors
    • Risk-based thinking and continual improvement requirements

    Detailed Analysis

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

    PMBOK Details

    What It Is

    PMBOK® Guide – Project Management Body of Knowledge is a global standard and guide published by PMI. It provides generally accepted practices for project management across industries. Primary purpose: standardize governance, processes, and principles for reliable value delivery. Key approach: evolves from process-based (ITTOs) to principle- and performance domain-based with explicit tailoring.

    Key Components

    • **Five Process GroupsInitiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring/Controlling, Closing.
    • **Ten Knowledge AreasIntegration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resources, Communications, Risk, Procurement, Stakeholders.
    • 49 processes with Inputs, Tools & Techniques, Outputs.
    • 12 principles and 8 performance domains in recent editions; no formal certification but aligns with PMP.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives predictability, reduces risks via baselines/change control; embeds compliance in quality/risk/procurement. Strategic benefits: 3x higher performance per PMI research; common language for stakeholders. Builds trust, supports hybrid delivery.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: assess gaps, tailor methodology, pilot, train, rollout via PMO. Applies universally; enterprise transformations 12-24 months with tools/training/OCM.

    ISO 22000 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 22000:2018 is the international standard for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), a certifiable framework for organizations in the food chain. It ensures safe products by preventing hazards, using a risk-based approach integrating HACCP principles, PRPs, and High-Level Structure (HLS) with dual PDCA cycles.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4–10 covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement
    • PRPs, hazard analysis, CCPs/OPRPs, traceability, verification, recalls
    • Built on Codex HACCP and interactive communication
    • Voluntary certification by accredited bodies

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets statutory, regulatory, customer requirements
    • Mitigates risks of recalls, contamination, brand damage
    • Enhances supply chain trust, market access
    • Enables IMS integration with ISO 9001/14001 for efficiency

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, PRPs/hazard plans, training, audits
    • Scalable for all sizes/industries in food chain globally
    • Certification via stage 1/2 audits, annual surveillance

    Key Differences

    Scope

    PMBOK
    Project lifecycle, processes, knowledge areas
    ISO 22000
    Food safety hazards, PRPs, HACCP controls

    Industry

    PMBOK
    All industries worldwide, any organization size
    ISO 22000
    Food chain organizations globally, scalable

    Nature

    PMBOK
    Voluntary guide/standard, no certification enforcement
    ISO 22000
    Certifiable management system standard, voluntary

    Testing

    PMBOK
    Tailored audits, self-assessments, no mandatory certification
    ISO 22000
    Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits

    Penalties

    PMBOK
    No legal penalties, loss of best practices
    ISO 22000
    No legal penalties, certification loss/market exclusion

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about PMBOK and ISO 22000

    PMBOK FAQ

    ISO 22000 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