Defining and establishing project governance means creating the structure, rules, procedures, reporting expectations, ethics, policies, success metrics, escalation paths, and thresholds that guide project decision-making. Governance helps clarify who has authority, how decisions are made, and how the project remains aligned with organizational expectations.
Project governance may draw on organizational process assets, policies, procedures, and existing decision structures. It gives the project manager and stakeholders a framework for managing decisions, issues, changes, risks, and performance.
Why This Task Matters for PMP® Preparation
PMP® exam questions often describe unclear authority, missing escalation paths, inconsistent reporting, or decisions being made outside the proper structure. The best response usually involves using or establishing governance rather than acting informally.
You should be ready to recognize when a situation requires governance, escalation, approval, or defined decision thresholds. This task connects initiation, planning, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and control, and business alignment.
Enablers of This Task
- Describe and establish the structure, rules, procedures, reporting, ethics, and policies through the use of organizational process assets (OPAs).
- Define success metrics.
- Outline governance escalation paths and thresholds.
To learn the Define and Establish Project Governance task, you need:
- In the PMBOK Guide 8th Edition, read chapters 1.3.2 (part ‘Standard’), 2.1 (part ‘PMBOK’).
- Read the Governance of Portfolios, Programs, and Projects: A Practice Guide.
- Watch the video:
5. Test your knowledge to complete the study of the task.