Question

According to Larson and Gray in Project Management: The Managerial Process, the project scope is essential for integrating all elements of the project management plan. Discuss the elements that should be included in the scope statement.Provide References.

Answer 1

Various elements that should be included in the project scope statement are listed as follows:

• Project objectives
• Deliverables
• Milestones
• Technical requirements
• Limits and exclusions
• Reviews with customer

Project Objectives:

Any project planning starts with the objective. Thus, while defining project scope first step is to define major objectives in term of which customers needs will be achieved and how and when.

For example,

Develop a Web and Mobile Application for online shopping company in four months within the budget of $1 million.

Deliverables:

After defining project objective, next step is to define deliverables over the life of project. Deliverables are the phase by phase expected output of project in terms of time, quantity and/or estimated cost.

For example, deliverables of application development project are as follows:

Phase	Deliverables
Early	Listing application specifications and logical relationships between elements of application. Date: Cost:
Second	Software coding and technical manual for both mobile and web application. Date: Cost:
Third	Prototype testing of the Application Date: Cost:
Fourth	Review and Improvement in Application Date: Cost:
Fifth	Final Test and approval of the Application Date: Cost:

Milestones:

Milestones represent significant events that occur in project life cycle. This helps project manager to evaluate the progress of actual project performance. The Milestone schedule estimates completion of the important segments of work in terms of time, cost, and resources for the project. Important segment of works are identified on the basis of deliverables defined in project scope.

For example, the prototype testing will be done by consultant and finished by May 15.

Technical Requirements:

The customer may define the technical requirements for efficient and effective performance of the product or service. Project scope should also include the technical requirements of product or service delivered by projects.

For example, for web and mobile application, number of items that will be displayed on the screen. Time it will take to complete payment process.

Exclusions:

Exclusions are the limits of the scope of project. It explains what the project will not accomplish or produce.

Reviews with customer:

Final and most important part of project scope is the review with the customer of the above elements. It is important that customer should understand and agree with the defined elements. If any recommendations are given by customers, they have to be implemented and scope elements have to be revised.