Project scope statement

Abstract

Defining a project scope statement is an essential part of any project. It is a tool used to identify the main deliverables of a project along with the key milestones, the boundaries, assumptions and constraints. This statement of work documents also the responsibilities of each member of the project team and procedures for verifications and approves of completed work. Both the project team and all of the stakeholders have to agree with all of the terms suggested in the scope statement before the actual project work begins. Even though the project scope statement is supposed to head the project into the right direction the situation can change as the project progresses. The changed situation has to be assessed on all aspects of the project and necessary changes have to be proposed to the project scope statement. The scope statement needs to be adjusted if the changes are approved. A well-written scope statement is an important part to achieve a successful project and the four main aspects which a good statement should include are the project justification, the project product, the project deliverables and the project objectives. These aspects will be discussed in more details in the following article, along with general guidelines of how to write a project statement and limitations of it.

Background

A brief introduction about what a scope is and about what has to be done before the project scope statement can be initated, the initiation phase and the scope planning.

Practical Guidelines

Practical guidelines in relation to the four main aspects of the project scope statement.

Limitations

Limitations of the project scope statement will be discussed, both strength and weakness.

Bibliography

William R. Duncan (2000), pages 55 - 57: A Guide to The Project Management Body of Knowledge: This guide provides deeper insight into the topic of Project scope statement to give further input into the process of scope statement.