97 Things Every Project Manager Should Know

Chapter 51. The Importance of the Project Scope Statement

PMP. Kim Heldman

IF THE PROJECT PLAN IS THE HEARTBEAT of a solid project management methodology, the scope statement is the breath. The scope statement details the vision of the project. It describes the goals and deliverables, and documents what a successful conclusion to the project looks like.

Unfortunately, many stakeholders have little interest in going through the exercise of writing a scope statement. Even further, while most project managers do take the time to create a well-rounded scope statement, they often archive it before the signatures are dry and never look at it again. It's important to keep checking back with the scope statement throughout the project to make certain you're delivering what the customer is expecting.

One of my favorite analogies, and I use it often with my customer base, is the remodel story. Imagine you have hired a contractor to finish the basement. The question is, do you give the contractor direction or do you let him decide what the layout will look like? Sure, the contractor will likely have some ideas on layout, how big the rooms should be, and where the plumbing already exists. But what if you want two bedrooms, a three-quarter bath, and a game room, but the contractor builds one bedroom, a full bath, and a family room with a full bar? Not at all close to what you were thinking.

And therein ...