One of the key principles of using best practices is that multiple organizations can use the same practices as a reliable way to create and implement improvement processes. The source of the practices can be external or internal.

The project management industry, for example, turns to an external organization, the Project Management Institute (PMI), which defines or has a major influence in determining what the best practices within specific areas of expertise are.

For PMI to provide the current best practices to follow, it looks at the entire field of knowledge and then weeds out false paths. Current thinking is reevaluated and standards updated as the project management industry evolves. Following PMI’s lead in how to manage projects and project or program management offices (PMOs) provides a starting point into standardized work.

However, in many cases, relying on this information can be a bad idea. Let’s break down the three myths of applying best practices and how using them creates a false sense of security.

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