ICB4 refers to the International Competence Baseline version 4. It is a globally recognized framework developed by the International Project Management Association (IPMA)
The IPMA Individual Competence Baseline (ICB4) is the global standard for individual competences in project, program and portfolio management.
The ICB4 is focused on Competences, as opposed to process or knowledge areas. The 29 Competence Elements within the ICB4 focus on behaviors and outcomes. Competence is recognized to include knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience to create project managers who are better equipped to handle modern, complex projects.
IPMA’s four-level certification process is aligned with the ICB4 and is a stronger predictor of project management success than a one-time, knowledge-based test.
A central concept of the ICB4 is the ‘eye of competence’, which represents the three management domains of project, program, and portfolio management. Based on a specific model, individuals should excel in perspective competences that address the context of his or her project, program or portfolio, people competences that address personal and social topics and practice competences that address the specific technical aspects for managing his or her project, program or portfolio.
Each competence element is measurable and consists of a definition, the purpose, a description of the content, knowledge areas, skills and a set of key competence indicators with a description and measures.
IPMA offers a four-level certification program based on the IPMA Individual Competence Baseline (ICB4): IPMA levels A, B, C, and D.
The International Project Management Association (IPMA) is a leading worldwide not-for-profit project management association with more than 70 member associations. IPMA published the first official version of the ICB (Version 2.0) in 1999, with a small modification in 2001. Version 3 was published in 2007 and Version 4 in 2015. Version 5 is expected in 2026.
The target audience consists of project, program and portfolio managers and staff as well as general managers, assessors, coaches, HR managers and trainers involved in project, program and portfolio management. This list is by no means exhaustive.
The IPMA Individual Competence Baseline version 4 delivers a comprehensive inventory of competences that an individual needs to possess or to develop to successfully realize projects, programs or portfolios. None of the other frameworks or methods for project, program or portfolio management does this. The ICB4 framework is therefore most suitable for the development and assessment of individual project, program and portfolio managers. Further the ICB4 is applicable for all sectors and industries.
The ICB4 does not recommend or include specific methods or tools. Methods and tools may be defined by the organization. The project, program or portfolio manager should choose appropriate methods and tools fit for the actual circumstances.