3.1 Plan Scope Management - 3.1 Plan Scope Management
Plan Scope Management is a critical process in project management that involves creating a detailed plan for how the project scope will be defined, validated, and controlled. This plan ensures that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of 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 overall Project Management Plan. It outlines the processes and procedures for defining, validating, and controlling the project scope. This plan includes methods for creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), scope verification, and scope control.
Example: For a construction project, the Scope Management Plan might specify that the WBS will be created using a top-down approach, with each level of the WBS representing a more detailed breakdown of the project deliverables. It would also outline the procedures for verifying that the completed construction meets the specified requirements.
2. Requirements Management Plan
The Requirements Management Plan is another subsidiary plan that details how project requirements will be analyzed, documented, and managed. It includes processes for eliciting, prioritizing, and validating requirements, as well as for tracking and controlling changes to requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
Example: In a software development project, the Requirements Management Plan would include procedures for gathering user requirements through interviews and surveys, prioritizing these requirements based on business value, and validating them through prototype testing.
3. 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 scope into 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: For a bridge construction project, the WBS might start with the overall project (Level 1), then break it down into major components like foundations, superstructure, and finishing (Level 2), and further into specific tasks like pouring concrete, installing girders, and painting (Level 3).
4. Scope Baseline
The Scope Baseline is a combination of the project scope statement and the WBS. It serves as a reference point for scope management throughout the project. The Scope Baseline is used to measure performance and ensure that any changes to the project scope are properly managed and approved.
Example: In a manufacturing project, the Scope Baseline would include the detailed project scope statement and the WBS, both of which would be used to track progress and ensure that any changes to the production plan are reviewed and approved by the project stakeholders.
Conclusion
Plan Scope Management is a foundational process that sets the stage for effective scope management throughout the project lifecycle. By creating detailed Scope and Requirements Management Plans, and by developing a comprehensive Work Breakdown Structure, project managers can ensure that the project scope is well-defined, validated, and controlled, leading to successful project outcomes.