4 1 Plan Scope Management
4.1 Plan Scope Management Explained
Plan Scope Management is a critical process in project management that involves creating a scope management plan. This plan outlines how the project scope will be defined, validated, and controlled. It ensures that the project team and stakeholders understand what is included and excluded from the project, thereby preventing scope creep and ensuring project success.
Key Concepts
1. Scope Management Plan
The Scope Management Plan is a subsidiary plan of the project management plan. It provides detailed guidance on how to manage the project scope throughout its lifecycle. This plan includes procedures for defining the scope, creating the work breakdown structure (WBS), validating the scope, and controlling changes to the scope.
Example: For a construction project, the scope management plan might include guidelines for defining the project scope, such as specifying the types of materials to be used, the number of floors, and the inclusion of a parking lot. It would also outline how changes to the scope will be managed, such as requiring approval from a steering committee for any significant changes.
2. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
The Work Breakdown Structure is a deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team. It breaks down the project into smaller, more manageable components, making it easier to plan, execute, and control the project. The WBS is a key output of the Plan Scope Management process.
Example: In a software development project, the WBS might break down the project into major deliverables such as "Frontend Development," "Backend Development," and "Testing." Each of these deliverables would then be further broken down into smaller tasks, such as "Design User Interface" or "Develop Database Schema."
3. Scope Baseline
The Scope Baseline is a component of the project management plan that includes the approved project scope statement and the corresponding WBS and WBS dictionary. It serves as a reference point for measuring scope performance and managing scope changes. The scope baseline is established during the Plan Scope Management process.
Example: For a marketing campaign, the scope baseline might include the project scope statement, which defines the campaign's objectives and target audience, along with the WBS, which outlines the tasks required to achieve these objectives, such as "Create Social Media Posts" and "Design Email Templates."
4. Scope Validation
Scope Validation is the process of formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables. It ensures that the deliverables meet the specified requirements and that the project scope has been successfully achieved. Scope validation is a key aspect of the Plan Scope Management process.
Example: In a construction project, scope validation might involve a final inspection of the completed building to ensure that it meets all the specified requirements, such as the number of rooms, the quality of materials used, and compliance with building codes. This validation process ensures that the project scope has been fully achieved.
5. Scope Control
Scope Control involves managing changes to the project scope. It ensures that any changes to the scope are properly evaluated, approved, and implemented. Effective scope control helps prevent scope creep and ensures that the project stays within its defined boundaries.
Example: For a software development project, scope control might involve a change control process where any proposed changes to the project scope are reviewed by a change control board. The board evaluates the impact of the changes on the project schedule, budget, and quality, and decides whether to approve or reject the changes.
Understanding and applying these key concepts in Plan Scope Management is essential for project managers to ensure that the project scope is well-defined, validated, and controlled. By creating a comprehensive scope management plan, project managers can prevent scope creep, ensure project success, and deliver value to stakeholders.