5. Project Scope Management (1)

Project Scope management includes the processes required to ensure that the project includes all the work required, and only the work required, to complete the project successfully. Managing the project scope is primarily concerned with defining and controlling what is and is not included in the project.

In the project context, the term scope can refer to:

• Product scope: the features and functions that characterize a product, service or result
• Project scope: the work performed to deliver a product, service, or result with the specified features and functions. The term project scope is sometimes viewed as including product scope.

The scope baseline for the project is the approved version of the project scope statement, work breakdown structure (WBS), and its associated WBS dictionary. A baseline can be changed only through formal change control procedures and is used as a basis for comparison while performing Validate Scope and Control Scope processes as well as other controlling processes.

Completion of the project scope is measured against the Project management plan. Completion of the product scope is measured against the product requirements. The project scope management processes need to be well integrated with the other knowledge area processes, so that the work of the project will result in delivery of the specified product scope.

5.1 Plan Scope Management

Plan Scope Management is the process of creating a scope management plan that documents how the project scope will be defined, validated, and controlled.

The scope management plan is a component of the project or program management plan that describes how the scope will be defined, developed, monitored, controlled, and verified. The development of the scope management plan and the detailing of the project scope begin with the analysis of information contained in the project charter, the latest approved subsidiary plans of the project management plan, historical information contained in the organizational process assets, and any other relevant enterprise environment factors. This plan helps reduce the risk of project scope creep.

Inputs

1) Project management plan

Approved subsidiary plans of the project management plan are used to create the scope management plan and influence the approach taken for planning scope and managing project scope.

2) Project charter

Project charter is used to provide the project context needed to plan the scope management processes. It provides the high level project description and product characteristics from the project statement of work.

Outputs

1) Scope management plan

Scope management plan describes how the scope will be defined, developed, monitored, controlled and verified. Major input into the Develop Project Management Plan process, and the other scope management processes.

2) Requirements management plan

Requirement management plan is a component of the project management plan that describes how requirements will be analyzed, documented, and managed.