Project Scope

Project scope defines everything that needs to be done to ensure the project’s successful execution and completion, and the project scope also needs to be managed properly according to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). In order to successfully do so, it usually needs to contain important elements such as the features that a certain product needs to meet its stakeholder’s requirements.

Project Scope Definition & Meaning

Project scope is defined as a part of project planning that involves determining and documenting a list of specific project goals, deliverables, tasks, costs, and deadlines.

It is a critical part of the project planning and project management process since it will define the boundaries of what will and won’t be part of the project work.

What Is a Project Scope?

Project scope refers to the detailed outline of all the aspects of a sample project, including all the related activities, resources, timelines, deliverables, and the boundaries of a project. Its respective documentation is called a scope statement, which establishes the responsibilities of each member and details how the completed work will be verified and approved. In other words, this document also provides a clear understanding of why the project was initiated and defines its key goals.

10 Types of Project Scope

Software Project Scope

A software project scope refers to the complete list of features, tasks, and deliverables for a software project. In other terms, this scope document contains the things that need to be done to provide a software service or product with the intended functions and features. It basically ensures that the software project being undertaken does not go astray.

Restaurant Project Scope

Restaurants are bound to be very busy places once they finally get going in their operations, which is why it needs to be properly managed by the people at the top. A restaurant project scope can be a helpful document in doing so since it can highlight the tasks involved in the management and upkeep of a restaurant facility. This document outlines what are the requirements and the intended outcomes of a restaurant project, which can include managing its routine operations.

Research Project Scope

A research project scope is a document that defines every single aspect that needs to be considered in undertaking a research project. In other words, this defines the boundaries within which the research project will be performed and specifies the parameters in which the research study will operate. Defining the scope of the research project is necessary since it focuses the work of the study down to what is achievable in a given period.

Marketing Project Scope

A marketing project scope refers to a document that assists everyone in staying on the same page with regard to the goals, deliverables, and constraints of a marketing project before it even begins. It also ensures that the marketing team of a company has the right time, enough resources, and the right people to do the project. This can be helpful for the company’s stakeholders too since it allows them to understand what the project parameters are.

IT Project Scope

An IT project scope is helpful for a company should they want to avoid project scope creep in their IT project, for example, a cybersecurity project. The format of this document/template generally discusses the boundaries of the IT project and identifies the goals, deadlines, and project deliverables that the IT team will be working on. In other words, this document outlines the total amount of work that needs to be done to complete an IT project.

Event Project Scope

Events, no matter how small or big they seem on paper, will always require massive amounts of preparation and management for them to become successful. An example of a document that can ensure an event’s success would be an event project scope, since it outlines the five Ws and one H (who, what, when, where, why, and how) of the event project to everyone that has a role to play in the event project. This document should also include the event name, the event time, the event location, timing, venue, and attendee estimate.

Agile Project Scope

Agile project scope is a key document to ensure that everyone that’s involved in Agile project management will be on the right track when undertaking the project. This document should outline what the project needs to deliver, when it needs to be delivered, and the budget that’s needed. In an agile project scope, the scope defines what software to build and deliver.

Business Project Scope

A business project scope is a document that outlines project deadlines, deliverables, and the budget of a business project. This is helpful for everyone since it gives the team a very clear view of what awaits them in a business project. This document is usually prepared by the manager of a business project and it also undergoes a review from the stakeholders and the executives before a business project begins.

Engineering Project Scope

Engineering projects generally involve creative problem solving and usually cover a broad scope of activities, which can be relatively light or very complex. In order for the people involved in the engineering project to only focus on what needs to be done, an engineering project scope is prepared. This document lays out the objectives, schedules, tasks, and deliverables of an engineering project.

CRM Project Scope

Customer relationship management, or CRM, refers to the combination of practices, strategies, and technologies that companies use to manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. Since it can be very broad, a CRM project scope will usually need to be prepared to guide companies on what they should do in this project. Scoping a CRM project is important to determine what the project will and will not cover.

Project Scope Uses, Purpose, Importance

Defining a project scope or scoping a project is a key part of the management of projects to avoid the project going out of scope. This is also known as scope creep, which refers to a situation in which changes to the process occur after the project has been started and the changes are not defined in the scope statement. Here are some other key uses and importance of project scope.

It’s useful for project managers

Defining a project scope is key for project managers of a business since it allows them to document all the resources that are needed for the project. It’s also useful for them since it allows them to avoid or minimize the possibility of scope creep. Overall, it helps project managers determine and regulate what’s part of the project and what isn’t.

It’s a budget saver

Another importance of project scope is that it can prove to be a budget saver. Without defining the project scope, there is a big chance that spending money and resources on unnecessary things will happen, which, in turn, will blow up the budget. Defining a project scope sets out the budget that’s needed to complete a particular project, which in turn will help prevent unnecessary spending of funds.

It sets a definitive guideline

Another use of defining project scope is that it sets a definitive guideline for team members to refer to. What this means is that the project team members have a very solid reference for making project-related decisions. This helps them be as specific as possible to avoid the possibility of getting sidetracked.

It establishes boundaries

Project scope is particularly useful since it establishes boundaries on what needs to be done and what doesn’t need to be done. This is documented in a project scope statement. Defining a project scope also leads to a creation of a work breakdown structure, which breaks work down into smaller, more manageable required tasks.

It establishes control factors

Another key purpose of defining project scope is that it establishes control factors of the project. This is done through effective scope management, which can then be used to address elements that may result in small or big changes throughout the lifespan of a project. Establishing control factors also helps avoid problematic scenarios such as going over budget, the project going way behind the intended schedule, and so on.

What’s in a Project Scope? Parts?

Introduction

This part of the project scope defines the what and why of a project.

Main Scope Statement

This part of the project scope defines the project requirements, sets the general goals for the project schedule and tasks, and identifies who will be involved.

Deliverables

This states what will be provided at the end of the project and when it will be provided.

Acceptance Criteria

This part describes the project metrics for success.

Exclusions

This part of the project scope clearly defines what should not be included in the project.

Constraints

This element of the project scope lists things that cannot be changed, also known as the project’s hard limits.

How to Design a Project Scope

1. Select a Project Scope Size

2. Decide on the use case of the project scope

3. Pick a Project Scope Template

4. Modify the contents of the template to suit your purpose

5. Add any supporting graphics, clipart, or icon

6. Finalize the template and download

Project Scope vs. Project Charter

A project scope expands on a project charter and defines what the project deliverables are, what constraints are in place, what risks are present in the project, and what is out of the scope.

A project charter serves as the core project foundation and contains the project rationale, the reasons why the project is being conducted, and who initiated the project.

What’s the Difference Between Project Scope, Product Scope, and Objective?

Project scope is an important part of the project planning phase and generally involves determining and documenting a list of specific project goals, deliverables, tasks, costs, and deadlines.

Product scope is different from project scope since it defines the capabilities, characteristics, features, and functions of the deliverables at the end of the project that’s being undertaken.

Objective (or project objective) refers to the predetermined results towards which effort is directed and may be defined in terms of outputs, outcomes, and benefits.

Project Scope Sizes

Adhering to the right document size is a must in order to preserve its format when being printed, and it also enables the document to serve its purpose properly. The most common project scope sizes currently in use include the US Letter and A4 sizes.

• Letter (8.5×11 inches)
• A4 (8.3×11.7 inches)

Project Scope Ideas and Examples

The process of drafting a project scope can be relatively easy or complicated, depending on many factors such as the type of project being undertaken. Should it prove to be difficult, premade project scope ideas and examples should prove to be a great help.

• Consulting Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• Six Sigma Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• Research Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• Restaurant Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• Interior Design Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• Enterprise Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• Development Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• Work Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• Freelance Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• One Page Project Scope Ideas and Examples
• Management Project Scope Ideas and Examples

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