The project scope statement is one of the most important project documents. You must understand it if you are in project management. This statement is a part of the scope baseline. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and WBS Dictionary are other components of the scope baseline.
I will explain the project scope statement in detail in today’s blog post.
Let’s get started.
Definition: The PMBOK Guide states, “The project scope statement describes the project scope, major deliverables, assumptions, and constraints.”
This document provides details of the project, the product scope, and the project deliverable. It gives a detailed description of the tasks to be executed, assumptions, constraints, milestones, and more. The project scope statement helps stakeholders have a common understanding of the project and its deliverable.
It contains the project inclusion and excursion that sets the project stakeholders’ expectations, so you face fewer hurdles in completing the project.
The project scope statement is the basis of your planning. It helps you review change requests; you will know what is included in the scope and what is not. If the request is outside the project boundary, you may raise additional requirements or changes in baselines.
Developing a project scope statement involves determining the relevant facts, gathering documentation, and gaining agreement.
The project scope statement provides a detailed summary of some project charter elements.
The project scope statement lessens uncertainty by restricting the scope and giving all stakeholders clear project insight.
The project scope statement helps visualize the complete project and its deliverable. It includes the following:
The following pointers will help you develop the project scope statement.
You should identify the various elements of a requirement that are essential in developing a project scope statement.
You can collect stakeholder, user, and project sponsor‘s requirements through questionnaires, workshops, interviews, or observation methods. Then, translate the complex requirements into simplified deliverables.
The requirements include business requirements, stakeholder requirements, solution requirements, project requirements, transition requirements, and assumptions. These allow you to meet desires and expectations.
You should document and detail the product requirements using a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM). This can also assist in tracking the status and revisions of products during development.
The project scope statement should summarize the deliverables that give stakeholders an overview of final product expectations.
Detail all project milestones so stakeholders can see the progress and know when the project will be completed.
The product must meet the client’s requirements. If these conditions are not met, the client will reject the product.
Sometimes it is necessary to exclude some elements so stakeholders understand explicitly. In later stages, this helps avoid scope creep.
The project scope statement must provide a detailed overview so stakeholders can go through it quickly. Avoid complex jargon that can be confusing.
The project scope statement should answer particular questions about the execution of tasks, allowing stakeholders to estimate the potential for success.
You may have noticed that the project scope statement element can also be seen in the project charter, and you might be wondering about the difference between the two.
Note that though the project charter contains elements of the scope statement, these two documents have different detail levels.
The project charter has high-level details, and it does not change often. On the other hand, the scope statement has all possible details of scope elements; it is usually updated when required through the project life cycle.
Also, the project charter can have the following:
And the scope statement focuses on the following elements in detail:
The Project Scope Statement and the Scope of Work help define the project scope. Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes and have different focuses.
The differences between these two project management documents are as follows:
The Project Scope Statement outlines the project’s objectives, deliverables, boundaries, and requirements. The Project Scope Statement includes:
The Project Scope Statement is a communication tool aligning all stakeholders regarding the project’s scope and objectives. It helps prevent misunderstandings and avoid scope creep, as it establishes the project scope baseline and acts as a reference throughout the project lifecycle.
The Scope of Work (SOW) focuses on tasks, activities, and deliverables required to complete the project. It details the work to be performed by the project team.
The Scope of Work includes:
The Scope of Work provides a detailed understanding of the project’s execution. It manages expectations, enables resource planning, and provides a basis for evaluating project performance.
Key Differences
The Scope Management Plan is a subsidiary document of the project management plan, specifically focusing on managing and controlling the project’s scope. It outlines the approach and processes that will define, validate, and control the project scope.
The Scope Management Plan includes the following elements:
The Scope Management Plan guides the project team on effectively managing and controlling the project’s scope. It ensures that changes to the scope are properly evaluated, managed, and communicated to minimize risks and maintain project alignment.
Key Differences
A project scope statement is an essential document and part of the scope baseline. It defines the product and includes the total work required to build it.
This document is a good communication tool. Any change in the product or project must be reflected here. Ensure that it has all details to avoid conflict in the later stages of the project.
How is a scope statement helpful in your project? Please share with us through the comments section.
