Project Scope Management

Posted by SkillMaker in Dec, 2016

Project Scope Management

Project scope management is designed to ensure that the project consists of the work intended—with all required features and functions—and no more. Its focus is on precisely what has to be done to satisfactorily complete the project.

Setting a project’s scope involves collating information (e.g. by interview, meetings) on project needs, goals, objectives and constraints—in other words, what precisely should the project deliver to meet identified needs. Knowing this allows scope to be defined and managed to meet identified needs and project goals without adding unnecessary cost or time to the process. The more clearly scope is defined, the easier it will be to decide later if a requested change is in-scope or out of scope.

A work breakdown structure can be developed once the scope is defined. It represents, diagrammatically, all the activities to be completed on the project, broken, where relevant, into smaller component tasks.

Managing project scope:

involves good communication and negotiation skills. These skills facilitate stakeholder formal acceptance of the scope of work planned to be delivered.
means being vigilant in monitoring the project for any evidence of scope creep and for ensuring there are solid processes in place for managing any requests for change to the scope of work. If there are to be changes to the scope of work, these have to be formally approved by the client or key stakeholder.

Additional resource

For more information on project scope management, visit:

http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/improve-project-success-with-better-scope-management.php

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http://www.free-management-ebooks.com/faqpm/scope-10.htm