Mastering the Art of Project and Product Definition in Scope Management
The Define Scope process is a critical step in project scope management. It involves developing a detailed description of the project and product, service, or result. This process helps outline the boundaries and acceptance criteria of the product, service, or result, providing a clear understanding of what the project aims to achieve.
The Define Scope process includes inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs. Inputs include the project charter and requirements documentation, while tools and techniques involve expert judgment, product analysis, and alternatives generation. The primary output is the project scope statement.
The Define Scope process selects the final project requirements from the requirements documentation developed during the Collect Requirements process. Not all requirements identified may be included in the project, making this selection process crucial.
A detailed project scope statement is prepared based on the major deliverables, assumptions, and constraints of the project. This statement is vital for defining the project's boundaries and guiding its execution and control. Constraints are documented during the project initiation phase, while the project scope is defined and described with greater specificity during the project planning phase.
The Define Scope process can be highly iterative, undergoing multiple revisions, especially in iterative life cycle projects. In such projects, a high-level vision is developed for the overall project, and the detailed scope is determined one iteration at a time. Detailed planning for the next iteration is carried out as work progresses on the current project scope and deliverables.
Existing risks, assumptions, and constraints are analyzed for completeness during project planning and updated as necessary. This ensures that the project scope is accurate, comprehensive, and aligned with the project's objectives and constraints.