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Clearly defining your project’s scope helps to effectively manage stakeholder expectations and ensures that all of the project’s elements are aligned with the objectives — increasing the chances of success. Here’s what you need to know about defining project scope.
Project scope definition
Project scope is a detailed outline of all aspects of a project, including all related activities, resources, timelines, and deliverables, as well as the project’s boundaries. A project scope also outlines key stakeholders, processes, assumptions, and constraints, as well as what the project is about, what is included, and what isn’t. All of this essential information is documented in a scope statement.
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The project scope statement
The project scope statement is a key document that provides all stakeholders with a clear understanding of why the project was initiated and defines its key goals. Most project scope statements will include these elements.
* A project statement of work (SoW), which is a detailed breakdown of all work to be performed by a project team and any important elements that may impact the outcome
* Constraints that might limit or negatively impact the outcome of the project, including resources, procurement issues, timing, or lack of information
* Scope exclusions, which can be anything that will not be part of the project or its deliverables
* Milestones that provide the exact date that something will be delivered or completed
* The final deliverables that will be provided to the customer at the end of the project...