Project Scope
- Shawn Pappelbaum
Creating a Project Scope Statement
Creation of a Scope Statement is a critical step in defining the project's boundaries, deliverables, and objectives. The scope statement serves as a foundation for project planning, guiding the project team and stakeholders to align their expectations and resources throughout the project's lifecycle. It provides a structured approach to ensure that the project delivers the right outcomes while staying within its defined constraints, such as budget, time, and resources.
Goals of the Scope Statement
The primary goals of a scope statement in an IT project implementation are:
Define Project Boundaries: Clearly outline what is included and excluded from the project. This helps prevent scope creep, which occurs when additional features or tasks are added without proper authorization, potentially derailing the project timeline and budget.
Establish Clear Deliverables: Specify the tangible outputs and outcomes of the project, ensuring stakeholders understand what will be delivered at each stage and at the project's completion. Include “Out of Scope” items to explicitly call out deliverables that will not be included in project or phase.
Align Stakeholder Expectations: Serve as a communication tool between the project team and stakeholders to align on objectives, constraints, and requirements, reducing misunderstandings and misaligned goals.
Provide a Baseline for Project Planning and Control: Offer a reference point for the creation of detailed project plans, schedules, and resource allocations, ensuring that the project team works toward a unified goal.
Set Performance Criteria: Outline the standards for success, quality, and completion. This helps in tracking the project’s progress and evaluating whether it meets its defined objectives.