5.2 Scope Definition

The preparation of a detailed project scope statement is critical to project success and builds upon the major deliverables, assumptions, and constraints that are documented during project initiation in the preliminary project scope statement. During planning, the project scope is defined and described with greater specificity because more information about the project is known. Stakeholder needs, wants, and expectations are analyzed and converted into requirements. The assumptions and constraints are analyzed for completeness, with additional assumptions and constraints added as necessary. The project team and other stakeholders, who have additional insight into the preliminary project scope statement, can perform and prepare the analyses.

Figure 5-4. Scope Definition: Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs

5.2.01TS Scope Definition - Process (TenStep Supplemental Content)

5.2.02TS Scope Definition - Techniques (TenStep Supplemental Content)

5.2.1 Scope Definition: Inputs

.1 Organizational Process Assets
Described in Section 4.1.1.4.

.2 Project Charter
If a project charter is not used in a performing organization, then comparable information needs to be acquired or developed, and used to develop the detailed project scope statement.

.3 Preliminary Project Scope Statement
If a preliminary project scope statement is not used in a performing organization, then comparable information, including the product scope description, needs to be acquired or developed and used to develop the detailed project scope statement.

.4 Project Scope Management Plan
Described in Section 5.1.3.1.

.5 Approved Change Requests
Approved change requests (Section 4.4) can cause a change to project scope, project quality, estimated costs, or project schedule. Changes are often identified and approved while the work of the project is ongoing.

5.2.2 Scope Definition: Tools and Techniques

.1 Product Analysis
Each application area has one or more generally accepted methods for translating project objectives into tangible deliverables and requirements. Product analysis includes techniques such as product breakdown, systems analysis, systems engineering, value engineering, value analysis, and functional analysis.

.2 Alternatives Identification
Identifying alternatives is a technique used to generate different approaches to execute and perform the work of the project. A variety of general management techniques is often used here, the most common of which are brainstorming and lateral thinking.

.3 Expert Judgment
Each application area has experts who can be used to develop portions of the detailed project scope statement.

.4 Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholder analysis identifies the influence and interests of the various stakeholders and documents their needs, wants, and expectations. The analysis then selects, prioritizes, and quantifies the needs, wants, and expectations to create requirements. Unquantifiable expectations, such as customer satisfaction, are subjective and entail a high risk of being successfully accomplished. Stakeholders’ interests may be positively or negatively affected by execution or completion of the project and they may also exert influence over the project and its deliverables.

5.2.3 Scope Definition: Outputs

.1 Project Scope Statement
The project scope statement describes, in detail, the project’s deliverables and the work required to create those deliverables. The project scope statement also provides a common understanding of the project scope among all project stakeholders and describes the project’s major objectives. It also enables the project team to perform more detailed planning, guides the project team’s work during execution, and provides the baseline for evaluating whether requests for changes or additional work are contained within or outside the project’s boundaries.

The degree and level of detail to which the project scope statement defines what work will be performed and what work is excluded can determine how well the project management team can control the overall project scope. Managing the project scope, in turn, can determine how well the project management team can plan, manage, and control the execution of the project. The detailed project scope statement includes, either directly or by reference to other documents:

.2 Requested Changes
Requested changes to the project management plan and its subsidiary plans may be developed during the Scope Definition process. Requested changes are processed for review and disposition through the Integrated Change Control process.

.3 Project Scope Management Plan (Updates)
The project scope management plan component of the project management plan may need to be updated to include approved change requests resulting from the project’s Scope Definition process.

[ Previous Page - 5.1.02TS Scope Planning - Techniques]  [ Next Page - 5.2.01TS Scope Definition - Process]