3.3 Define Scope - 3.3 Define Scope
Define Scope is a critical process in Project Scope Management that involves creating a detailed project scope statement. This statement clearly outlines the project deliverables, the work required to produce those deliverables, and the criteria for their acceptance. The goal is to ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project will and will not include.
Key Concepts
1. Project Deliverables
Project Deliverables are the tangible or intangible outputs produced as a result of the project. These can be products, services, or results that meet the project's objectives and satisfy the stakeholders. Deliverables are defined in the project scope statement and are tracked throughout the project lifecycle.
Example: In a construction project, the deliverables might include completed blueprints, constructed buildings, and operational infrastructure.
2. Work Required
The Work Required section of the project scope statement details the specific tasks and activities that need to be performed to produce the project deliverables. This includes the resources needed, the timeline for each task, and the dependencies between tasks.
Example: For a software development project, the work required might include coding, testing, documentation, and user training. Each of these tasks would be broken down into specific activities and assigned to team members.
3. Acceptance Criteria
Acceptance Criteria define the conditions that must be met for the project deliverables to be accepted by the stakeholders. These criteria ensure that the deliverables meet the required quality standards and fulfill the project's objectives.
Example: In a manufacturing project, the acceptance criteria might include passing quality control tests, meeting production targets, and receiving approval from regulatory bodies.
4. Constraints and Assumptions
Constraints are the limitations that could impact the project, such as budget, time, or resources. Assumptions are the factors that are considered to be true for the project to proceed. Both constraints and assumptions are documented in the project scope statement to provide a clear understanding of the project's boundaries.
Example: A project might assume that the necessary software licenses will be available by a certain date, and the constraint might be a fixed budget of $1 million.
5. Exclusions
Exclusions are the items or activities that are explicitly not included in the project scope. This helps manage stakeholder expectations and prevents scope creep by clearly defining what is out of the project's boundaries.
Example: In a construction project, the scope might include building a 5-story office building but exclude the landscaping and interior design.