Portfolio Management Competency Standards: Department of Defense Versus Project Management Institute

Abstract

Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition programs and professionals have been under scrutiny for years. Direction has been provided, over time, to adopt civilian program management practices within DoD. The Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) sets and manages civilian program management standards and certification. This study assesses DoD alignment and/or progress in adopting PMI standards. This study is primarily focused on portfolio management competency standards; however, the research requires that some foundational information, prior study results, and discussion of deltas between DoD concepts or documentation and practical application be addressed. This study is a follow-on or update to a 2021 Naval Postgraduate School thesis on the same topic (Gap Analysis of Department of Defense Program Management Competency Standards in Preparation for the Shift to Portfolio Management in Defense Acquisitions). In both this study and previous studies, gap analysis methodology (both qualitative and quantitative approaches) was applied. The research from 2021 found a 41% alignment with industry standards. This study found an increased alignment, closer to 60%. This study reinforces recommendations from the 2021 study and makes an overall recommendation that would result in complete alignment between DoD standards and PMI, the industry standard for portfolio management.