Individual Competence Baseline

The International Project Management Association
Individual Competence Baseline for Program Management, Version 5.0

Project, program and portfolio managers face increasingly complex challenges across industries and around the world. Digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, uncertainty and changing stakeholder expectations require more than technical knowledge. They require well-rounded competence, sound judgment, leadership and the ability to create value in changing environments.

The IPMA Individual Competence Baseline for Project Management, Version 5.0 (ICB5), presents a comprehensive framework of competences for individuals working in project management and related roles. It provides a common reference for professional development, certification, training, education, assessment and organizational practice.

ICB5 builds on the established IPMA competence framework while strengthening the connection between perspective, people and practice. It places greater emphasis on applying competence in complex environments, making responsible decisions and translating competence into meaningful results and sustainable value.

ICB5 supports individuals in understanding the competences they need and identifying opportunities for development throughout their professional journey. It recognizes that competence is not simply what we know, but how we apply knowledge, experience, judgment and behavior in practice. It provides organizations, teams, educators and trainers with a shared language for developing and recognizing project management competence.

We wish all individuals working in project, program and portfolio management the confidence, competence and commitment to navigate complexity, create value and achieve meaningful, sustainable results and contribute to better outcomes for society.