Download - Definition of Project Scope
BSBPMG502A Manage Project Scope
Project Scope is –the work that must be performed to deliver a product, service
or result as per the specifications or requirementsconcerned with what is included in the project and what is
excluded from the projectdetermined at a high level during the project initiation phase
and expanded in the planning phase generally determined by the Project Sponsor, expanded by
the Project Manager and then reconfirmed with the Project Sponsor
defined by the boundaries or range for the project including constraints, assumptions and dependencies
related to the objectives, outcomes, requirements
Definition of Project Scope
Adapated from PMBOK 4th Edition
BSBPMG502A Manage Project Scope
What is a Project Sponsor?
• The Project Sponsor is critical during the development of project scope and has a key role to play during project execution.
• They are the person for whom the project is being undertaken and they will directly benefit from the deliverables and outcomes of the project.
• The Project Manager needs to ensure that the Project Sponsor has approved the Project Scope so that there are no misunderstandings about the breadth and outcomes of the project.
• The Project Sponsor is often a senior manager, customer or external client.
BSBPMG502A Manage Project Scope
Importance of Project Scope
Why is it important?Gives the Project Manager concrete goalsEnsures the objectives of the Project Sponsor are
metProvides the basis for expectation management,
monitoring and reportingDetermines the baseline against which project
success can be measured
BSBPMG502A Manage Project Scope
Characteristics of Project Scope
• Poor control over project scope is one of the common reasons for project failure
• Projects that never seem to finish are normally suffering from a failure to control scope
• Project scope is defined at a high level during the early stages of the project and then progressively refined
Changesneed to bemonitored
Assumptionsoften
requiredHigh levelbecoming detailed
Constraintswill beapplied
Measuresproject
success
Refined during
the project
BSBPMG502A Manage Project Scope
Project Scope Interrelationships
• Scope is related to Project Time, Project Cost and project Quality
• Sometimes referred to as the ‘triple constraint’
• Scope expansion and contraction has flow on impacts to Time, Cost and Quality
• Trade offs between all four relationships are possible
Cost
Scope Time
Quality
BSBPMG502A Manage Project Scope
Project Scope Interrelationships
• If the project scope is increased when the project timeframe must remain fixed then normally the overall cost will need to increase as more resources are added in order to complete the additional work
Scope Increases
Increased Cost
Additional Resources
Time Fixedwhen leads to and/or
BSBPMG502A Manage Project Scope
Project Scope Interrelationships
Scope Increases Cost Fixedwhen leads to
Reduced Quality
Extra Time
and/or
• If the project scope is increased and the project cost must remain fixed then normally the overall timeframe will need to be extended to allow extra time for the additional work to be undertaken (this assumes that there is no cost involved in extending the resources for a longer period). It may also be possible to compromise on quality in order to speed up execution so that no additional time is required, thereby reducing pressure on the budget.
BSBPMG502A Manage Project Scope
Project Scope Interrelationships
• When scope is decreased then it may be possible to reduce both the project cost and timeframe. Scope reduction is a common reaction to overall budget cuts within an organisation.
Scope Decreases lead to
Reduced Cost
Reduced Time
and/or
BSBPMG502A Manage Project Scope
Project Scope Management Processes
PMBOK Project Scope Management Processes -5.1 Collect Requirements
5.2 Define Scope
5.3 Create Work Breakdown Structure
5.4 Verify Scope
5.5 Control Scope
Related processes from Project Integration Management –
4.1 Develop Project Charter
4.2 Develop Project Management Plan
4.5 Perform Integrated Change Control
PMBOK 4th Edition