See Technical More: Tailoring, Task Boards, and Technical Performance Measures
PMBOK v8 Definition
Tailoring is the deliberate adaptation of approach, governance, and processes to make them more suitable for the given environment and the work at hand. A task board is a visual representation of the progress of the planned work that allows everyone to see the status of the tasks. Technical performance measures are quantifiable measures of technical performance that are used to ensure system components meet the technical requirements. These three concepts appear in the PMBOK v8 glossary and are applied across multiple knowledge areas, particularly in scope management and monitoring and controlling processes.
Why It Matters for the Exam
The PMI exam frequently tests your ability to distinguish between tailoring (adapting processes), task boards (visual tracking tools), and technical performance measures (quantifiable metrics). These concepts appear in situational questions where you must select the correct tool or technique for a given project context. Expect questions that ask you to identify when tailoring is appropriate, how task boards differ from other visual tools, and what technical performance measures specifically track.
Key Points to Remember (for the exam)
- Tailoring Definition: Deliberate adaptation of approach, governance, and processes—NOT a one-size-fits-all methodology
- Task Board Purpose: Shows work ready to start (to do), work in progress, and work completed—visible to everyone
- Technical Performance Measures: Quantifiable measures ensuring system components meet technical requirements
- Kanban Board Relationship: Task board is synonymous with kanban board; cycle time = time from task start to completion; lead time = time from when task is placed on board until delivered
- Tailoring vs. Template: Tailoring adapts the approach; a template is a partially complete document with predefined format
- Monitoring Application: Technical performance measures are used in monitoring to collect performance data and produce performance measures
- Governance Distinction: Tailoring adapts governance (framework for directing and enabling organization); governance itself is not tailored but the application of governance can be
Typical PMI Exam Example
A project manager is leading a hybrid project in a manufacturing company. The team needs to visualize workflow and limit work in progress. The project manager implements a visual board showing "to do," "in progress," and "completed" columns. What is this tool called?
Answer: Task board (also known as kanban board)
PMI Exam Traps
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Trap: Confusing tailoring with customization of individual deliverables
- Reality: Tailoring applies to approach, governance, and processes—not to product features or scope items
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Trap: Thinking a task board is only for agile projects
- Reality: Task boards can be used in any project type (predictive, adaptive, hybrid) to visualize work status
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Trap: Confusing technical performance measures with key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Reality: Technical performance measures specifically track whether system components meet technical requirements—not overall project performance
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Trap: Believing tailoring means changing the project management methodology entirely
- Reality: Tailoring is deliberate adaptation, not complete replacement; it makes existing processes more suitable
Important PMI Connections
| Related Concept | Relationship Type | Exam Attention Point |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Tailoring adapts governance framework | Tailoring makes governance suitable for the environment; governance provides the framework for directing and enabling |
| Monitoring and Controlling Focus Area | Technical performance measures used here | These processes track, review, and regulate progress; technical performance measures provide quantifiable data |
| Kanban Board | Synonymous with task board | Exam may use either term; both show work status with cycle time and lead time concepts |
| Template | Different from tailoring | Template is predefined format document; tailoring adapts approach—two distinct concepts often confused |
| Impediment | Task boards help identify impediments | Visual status on task board reveals blockers preventing team from achieving objectives |
Quick Review Questions
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What is the difference between cycle time and lead time on a kanban board?
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A project team is working in a highly regulated environment. The project manager decides to adapt certain governance processes to make them more suitable. What concept is being applied?
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During monitoring and controlling, the team uses quantifiable measures to ensure system components meet technical requirements. What is this called?
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What columns does a task board typically show to represent work status?
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How does tailoring differ from using a template?
PMBOK v8 Reference
Section 5.0 - Scope Management (glossary terms: tailoring, task board, technical performance measures, template, kanban board, governance, monitoring, monitoring and controlling focus area, cycle time, lead time, impediment)