ISO 21512:2024/Amd 1:2026

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Sep-2026
• ICS: 03.100.40 - Research and development
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 258 - Project, programme and portfolio management
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 258 - Project, programme and portfolio management
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 15-Sep-2026
• Due Date: 04-Mar-2027
• Completion Date: 15-Sep-2026

• Amends: ISO 21512:2024 - Project, programme and portfolio management — Earned value management implementation guidance
• Effective Date: 06-Sep-2025

ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 is an ISO amendment to the International Standard on project, programme and portfolio management - earned value management implementation guidance. It updates the definitions of budget at completion, cost variance and estimate at completion, and it corrects wording and example calculations in clause 7.3 for people using earned value management in projects, programmes, portfolios and related control accounts, work packages and activities.

What does ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 specify?

ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 specifies changes to ISO 21512:2024, not a new standalone guide. The amendment revises key earned value management terms and corrects one worked example area in clause 7.3 so the guidance uses consistent terminology and updated calculations.

The document is organized as an amendment with these technical changes:

• Clause 3.1.9 - revised definition of budget at completion
• Clause 3.1.19 - revised note for cost variance
• Clause 3.1.32 - revised definition of estimate at completion
• Clause 7.3 - wording correction and corrected calculated numbers

In practice, the amendment matters because these are core control and forecasting terms in earned value management. Anyone reporting cost status or reviewing performance data needs the updated wording to avoid using outdated definitions from the 2024 edition.

What are the key requirements of ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026?

ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 mainly changes how several earned value management terms are stated and how one example in clause 7.3 is described. The substance is about using the right definition for cost baselines, performance variance and completion forecasts.

Revised control terms

• Budget at completion is redefined as the approved total cost to accomplish the work on a project, programme, control account, work package or activity. In practice, this is the cost target a team uses when comparing planned and actual performance.
• Estimate at completion is redefined as the forecasted total cost to accomplish the work on a project, programme, control account, work package or activity. In practice, this is the number managers use when forecasting where the final cost is likely to end up.

Clarified performance language

• Cost variance now has a note stating that it is the comparison of actual cost against earned value. In practice, this makes the cost performance check easier to interpret and aligns the wording with standard earned value reporting.

Corrected worked example wording

• Clause 7.3 replaces the word “distance” with “difference” in list items a) and b). In practice, this tightens the explanation of the comparison being made.
• Clause 7.3 also corrects the calculated numbers in its worked example. In practice, users should follow the updated example if they are checking calculations or training staff on the method.

Why these changes matter

• The amendment keeps terminology aligned across project, programme and portfolio levels.
• It helps users apply the same cost-control language to projects, control accounts, work packages and activities.
• It reduces the risk of reporting errors when interpreting earned value measures.

What terms does ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 define?

• Budget at completion - the approved total cost for finishing the work at the chosen management level.
• Cost variance - the difference between actual cost and earned value, used to show whether spending is ahead or behind performance.
• Estimate at completion - the forecasted total cost to finish the work at the chosen management level.
• Actual cost - the cost already incurred for the work, used as the spending figure in variance analysis.
• Earned value - the value of the work accomplished, used as the performance figure in cost comparison.
• Control account - a control point named in the amended definitions, used to manage and report performance.
• Work package - a defined unit of work named in the amended definitions, used to track cost and progress.
• Activity - a task-level unit named in the amended definitions, used when applying earned value measures at detailed level.

Who uses ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026?

ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 is used by project managers, programme managers, portfolio managers, PMO staff, cost controllers and earned value practitioners. It is also relevant to contract managers, planners and reviewers who need to interpret cost performance data, update forecasts and check worked calculations.

In practice, these roles use the amendment when:

• setting or reviewing cost baselines
• comparing actual cost with earned value
• forecasting completion cost
• checking earned value reports and training material
• aligning terminology across project, programme and portfolio controls

What changed in ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 from the previous edition?

ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 amends ISO 21512:2024 by:

• revising the definition of budget at completion
• revising the note for cost variance
• revising the definition of estimate at completion
• replacing “distance” with “difference” in clause 7.3
• correcting calculated numbers in clause 7.3

What does the ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 document contain?

ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026 contains targeted editorial and technical updates to the parent guidance. The amendment changes three earned value management definitions in clause 3 and corrects language and calculations in clause 7.3.

The document is therefore useful when a team needs the updated wording for cost-control terms or wants to align a training note, report, or internal procedure with the amended ISO language. The clause 7.3 corrections matter most where the worked example is used to explain or verify earned value calculations.

International
Standard
ISO 21512
First edition
Project, programme and portfolio
2024-08
management — Earned value
management implementation
AMENDMENT 1
guidance
2026-09
AMENDMENT 1
Management de projets, programmes et portefeuilles —
Recommandations de mise en oeuvre du management de la
valeur acquise
AMENDEMENT 1
Reference number
ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026(en) © ISO 2026

ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026(en)
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in re
...

Norme
internationale
ISO 21512
Première édition
Management de projets,
2024-08
programmes et portefeuilles —
Recommandations de mise en
AMENDEMENT 1
oeuvre du management de la valeur
2026-09
acquise
AMENDEMENT 1
Project, programme and portfolio management — Earned value
management implementation guidance
AMENDMENT 1
Numéro de référence
ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026(fr) © ISO 2026

ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026(fr)
DOCUMENT PROTÉGÉ PAR COPYRIGHT
© ISO 2026
Tous droits réservés. Sauf prescription différente ou nécessité dans le contexte de sa mise en œuvre, aucune partie de cette
publication ne peut être reproduite ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique,
y compris la photocopie, ou la diffusion sur l’internet ou sur un intranet, sans autorisation écrite préalable. Une autorisation peut
être demandée à l’ISO à l’adresse ci-après ou au comité membre de l’ISO dans le pays du demandeur.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Genève
Tél.: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.iso.org
Publié en Suisse
ii
ISO 21512:2024/Amd.1:2026(fr)
Avant-propos
L'ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une fédération mondiale d'organismes nationaux
de normalisation (comités membres de l'ISO). L'élaboration des Normes internationales est en général
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la Commission électrotechnique internationale (IEC) en ce qui concerne la normalisation électrotechnique.
Les procédures utilisées pour élaborer le présent document et celles destinées à sa mise à jour sont
décrites dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 1. Il convient, en particulier, de prendre note des différents
critères d'approbation requis pour les différents types de documents ISO. Le présent document a
été rédigé conformément aux règles de rédaction données dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 2 (voir
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L’ISO attire l’attention sur le fait que la mise en application du présent document peut entraîner l’utilisation
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il y a lieu d’avertir les respons
...