This chapter covers key concepts related to Project Scope Management.
The knowledge area of Project Scope Management consists of the following processes -
Scope Management Processes
Process
Project Group
Key Deliverables
Collect Requirements
planning
Requirements document
Define Scope
planning
project scope statement
Create WBS
planning
WBS, WBS dictionary
Verify Scope
Monitoring and Controlling
Acceptance deliverables
Control Scope
Monitoring and Controlling
Change Requests
The knowledge area of Scope Management includes the processes required to ensure that
the project includes all the work, and only all the work required to complete the project
successfully. It is primarily concerned with controlling what is and what is not in the scope.
Project Portfolio Management is the process of project selection. It involves making a decision
about which project an organization should execute.
There are two types of project selection methods. These are
Benefits Measurement
Constrained Optimization
Benefits Measurement project selection methods involve comparing the values of one
project against another. There are the following type of Benefit Measurement project
selection techniques -
Murder Boards - This involves a committee asking tough questions from each project
Scoring Models - Different projects are given scores based on certain defined criteria. Project with higher score is selected.
Benefits Cost Ratio - This technique involves computing benefits to cost ratio (BCR) for a project. Project with higher BCR is selected.
Payback period - This technique involves considering how long it takes back to "pay back" the cost of the project. Inflation or interest earned in not considered in this technique. A project with lower pay back period is better.
Discounted Cash Flow - This technique takes into account the interest earned on the money. The Future Value (FV) of projects is compared. FV=PV(1+i)n
PV is the present value of the project. A project with higher present value is better.
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) - A project that has higher IRR is better, as it is giving higher return on money.
Constrained Optimization Project selection methods are used for large projects. These
are techniques based on mathematical models. The Constrained Optimization techniques are -
Linear Programming
Non-Linear Programming
Integer Algorithm
Dynamic Programming
Multi-objective Programming
Expected monetary value of a project (or expected value) is equal to probability*impact.
So if probability of a project's success is 20% and revenue earned if successful is $100000,
then the net value of the project will be $20,000. A project with higher net value
should be selected when performing project selection.
Management by Objective (MBO) is a management philosophy with three objectives -
Establish unambiguous and realistic objectives
Periodically Evaluate if objectives are being met
Take corrective actions.
MBO works only if management supports it.
Collect Requirements process involves documenting stakeholders needs to meet project objectives. The Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs of Collect Requirements process are given below.
Collect Requirements Process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project charter
Interviews
Requirements documentation
Stakeholder register
Focus groups
Requirements management plan
Facilitated workshops
Requirements traceability matrix
Group creativity techniques
Questionaires and surveys
Observations
Prototypes
Group decision-making techniques
The Define Scope process involves defining detailed description of the project and major deliverables. The Input, Tools and Techniques and Output of the Define Scope process are:
Define Scope Process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project charter
Expert judgment
Project scope statement
Requirements documentation
Product analysis
Project document updates
Organizational process assets
Alternative identification
Facilitated workshops
Create WBS is the process of dividing the project deliverables into smaller components. The Inputs, Tools and Techniques and Outputs of Create WBS process are:
Create WBS Process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project Scope Statement
Decomposition
WBS
Requirements documentation
WBS dictionary
Organizational process assets
Scope baseline
Project document updates
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is an important part of the exam. It is a graphical representation
of the hierarchy of the project. The WBS template can be reused across projects. WBS forces
the project team to think through all the levels of the project. If a task is not in the WBS,
then it is not part of the project.
8/80 rule for WBS - No task should be less than 8 hours or more than 80 hours.
WBS dictionary explains all the WBS components. Also WBS is input to most of the planning processes.
Specifically WBS is input to the following processes -
Cost Estimating
Cost Budgeting
Scope control
Activity Definition
Plan Purchases and Acquisitions
The Verify Scope is the process in which the project customer formally accepts the project deliverables.
Scope Verification happens at the end of each phase. During the Verify Scope process customer gives feedback on work performed.
While Verify Scope process focuses on customer acceptance, Perform Quality Control process focuses on correctness of work.
The table below gives inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs of the Verify Scope process.
Verify Scope Process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project management plan
Inspection
Accepted Deliverables
Requirements documentation
Change requests
Requirements traceability matrix
Project document updates
Validated deliverables
Control Scope process involves monitoring the status of project and managing scope changes. The Inputs, Tools and Techniques and Outputs of Control Scope process are:
Control Scope Process
Inputs
Tools & Techniques
Outputs
Project management plan
Variance analysis
Work performance measurements
Requirements documentation
Change requests
Requirements traceability matrix
Project management plan updates
Organizational process assets
Organizational process assets updates
Work performance information
Project document updates
Questions on Project Scope Management are available in Questions by Topic.