As a project manager, you have a million different tasks to complete before the project even gets up and running. One of the most important tasks to do at the beginning of the process is to put together a scope statement. A scope statement is something taught in a lot of project management courses. However, before you embark on your project management training, it is a good idea to have a basic understanding of what a scope statement is and what it involves. Read on to discover everything you need to know.
What is a scope statement? This is a written document that details the terms and conditions under which the work for the project is going to be performed, as well as the results you will produce by undertaking the project. Before any of the project work begins, it is important that the project team and the people who requested the project are in agreement with everything that is written on the scope statement – highlighting why this is such a vital document.
What needs to be included in the scope statement?
· Objectives – Of course, the objectives of the project need to be clearly outlined. These are also referred to as deliverables. This relates to the services, products, or results you are going to produce as a consequence of the project.
· Justification – How did this project come about? Why are you embarking on this project? You need to address the scope of work that is going to be performed, and how other related activities will affect it, and how it will affect them.
· Constraints – What restrictions are there? Common examples include cost and time. State anything that could get in the way of what you aim to achieve.
· Assumptions – You need to include assumptions on how you are going to address certain details that are uncertain.
· Product scope description – The functions and features of the service, product, or results you will produce.
· Product acceptance criteria – The criteria and procedure for accepted completed results, products, or services.
Hopefully, that gives you a good idea of the different factors that need to be covered in the scope statement. Not only do you need to include the above, but you also need to put some form of a pledge – a statement of your commitment to the project. After all, the scope statement works as a binding agreement. Examples of what to include in this respect are as follows:
· Those who have requested the project must agree that they will deem the project to be 100 per cent successful if you produce the results outlined above.
· You must also state that you and your team are completely committed to producing the said results.
· The project requesters must accept that there are no other restrictions, aside the ones declared, and they must promise to provide the support you have stated you need.
· You and your team also need to confirm that the only restrictions are the ones stated, and outline what you need to overcome them.
· Project requesters must agree that you may have to modify some project plans at any point if the assumptions made do not turn out to be so.
· Finally, you need to confirm that you identify all assumptions you made.
