Project Management ToolBox, 3rd Edition

6SCOPE PLANNING

Project planning begins with identifying work that needs to be completed for a project to be successful. Scope planning is a collaborative process between the project manager, the project sponsor, and other key stakeholders who help shape the work to achieve the business goals driving the need for a project.

The purpose of scope planning is to ensure that all the required work and only the required work is clearly identified, that the deliverables and outcomes are documented, and that the boundary conditions are adequately defined. Scope planning involves referencing the project goals and objectives documented in the Project Charter or similar document. Scope planning is done in conjunction with schedule, resource, budget, and risk planning. During project implementation the tools in this chapter will provide a foundation for disciplined scope and change management and help to discourage scope creep.

SCOPE STATEMENT

The Scope Statement is a first step in planning a project. It helps inform subsequent tools in the planning and management effort. The Scope Statement is a written narrative of the project and product scope. It provides a written description of the project and each of the key deliverables. The project description elaborates on the high-level description in the Project Charter. Each of the key deliverables is described along with their criteria for acceptance. The Scope Statement also identifies the project boundaries, i.e., what is excluded from ...