Project offices, public bodies and firms running projects for clients use it.

• Current practice is compared with the guidance.
• Management agrees which parts apply and who owns them.
• Practices are adopted in policies, procedures and training.
• Results are reviewed after a set period and adjusted.

Cost is mainly staff time and any outside support. The number of processes and teams involved decides the effort. No certification fees apply, as no certificate is issued.

Most organisations adopt it in phases over several months. It can run alongside work on a certifiable standard.

ISO 21502 is guidance, so accredited certificates are not issued against it. It can support a quality management system certified to ISO 9001.