Project Scope
Project scope is the work that must be performed to deliver a product, service, or result with the specified features and functions.
Explanation
Project scope defines the boundaries of the project by identifying exactly what work is included and, equally important, what work is excluded. It encompasses all the activities, deliverables, milestones, and tasks required to complete the project successfully. Project scope is documented in the project scope statement and managed through the scope baseline.
Unlike product scope, which focuses on the features and functions of the deliverable itself, project scope focuses on the work effort needed to produce those deliverables. Managing project scope effectively requires clear requirements gathering, a well-defined work breakdown structure, and ongoing scope control to prevent unauthorized changes.
Project scope is measured against the scope management plan and the scope baseline. When changes are requested, they must go through integrated change control to assess their impact on schedule, cost, quality, and other project constraints before being approved or rejected.
Key Points
- •Defines all work required to complete the project successfully
- •Documented in the project scope statement
- •Measured against the scope baseline (scope statement, WBS, WBS dictionary)
- •Changes must go through integrated change control
Exam Tip
Remember that project scope is about the work to be done, while product scope is about the features of the deliverable. PMI tests this distinction frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Product Scope
Product scope is the features and functions that characterize a product, service, or result delivered by the project.
Project Scope Statement
The project scope statement is a detailed description of the project scope, major deliverables, assumptions, and constraints that provides a documented basis for making future project decisions.
Scope Baseline
The scope baseline is the approved version of the project scope statement, work breakdown structure (WBS), and its associated WBS dictionary, used as a reference for measuring project scope performance.
Create WBS
Create WBS is the process of subdividing project deliverables and project work into smaller, more manageable components.
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Part of
Scope Management
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