Does your project need some direction?

Create a project scope that lists your project's:

  • goals and deliverables

  • milestones

  • obstacles

  • stakeholders

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Present your project's scope in a document called a scope statement or statement of workthat guides the project to its end goal, on time and within budget.

What Are The Project Goals?

The scope includes goals and deliverables for the project.

Created by Joanna Vieira. Arrow in the center of the bullseye representing a project's final deliverable or targeted goal.

  • Goals are what your project will achieve for the customer or client. Will it increase sales targets or contribute to the community?

  • Deliverables support the project goalslike a performance report, a prototype, or a demonstration.

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TIP: Be flexible!

Goals may change or shift because of obstacles that come up during the project.

When writing the project goals, involve everyone on the project. They may help you include things you missed or avoid goals that will cause a scope creep.

What Are Potential Obstacles?

These are hard to predict, so start with any obstacles that may come up and work outward.

Created by Joanna Vieira. A break in the road representing obstacles that may occur during the project cycle.

What could cause an increase in budget or delay the project?

  • Someone got sick and cannot work on the project.

  • A stakeholder wants to add a few deliverables that will increase production time.

  • The client changes their mind about the goals half-way through the project.

Flaticon Icon TIP: Think ahead!

Include every possible thing that could go wrong with the project and then create a back-up plan.

Outline Resources

Make a list of all the resources the project will need.

Created by Joanna Vieira. A checklist for all the items needed for a project.

  • Include potential costs and savings, supplies, and hours of work.

  • Include anything or anyone you still need to acquire.

  • Share the list with the client or stakeholder.

Flaticon Icon TIP: Be thorough!

Include as much relevant information as you can.

List Milestones

Milestones are key tasks with specific deadlines.

Created by Joanna Vieira. A calendar showing a due date or milestone.

  • The scope only shows the major milestones.

  • It's a general timeline for the project, so more details can be added later.

  • Each milestone has a deadline to work towards.

Flaticon Icon TIP: Budget extra time!

What do you do if you miss a milestone? Budget extra time at the end of the project for this scenario so you can adjust as you go.

Quiz

John is preparing a presentation for a client. Which of these tasks is a major milestone?

Create A List Of Stakeholders

A stakeholder is anyone who has high-level interest or money invested in the project.

Created by Joanna Vieira. People icons representing individuals who are invested or involved in a project.

  • Use the milestone as a guide to identify who the clients and/or stakeholders are.

  • The list should include what they are responsible for.

  • Include anyone that makes important decisions or final sign-offs.

  • Anyone important to the project who's not a stakeholder can be listed as a "resource."

Flaticon Icon TIP: Be specific!

Clearly outline the specific responsibilities of everyone on this list.

Quiz

Joan is making a list of people for an upcoming distribution project. Who is considered a stakeholder?

Take Action

Created by Joanna Vieira. Combination of the previous images showing a road with scope elements.

Creating a clear project scope is essential to planning, managing, and completing a project successfully.

Before you write your next project scope, ask yourself:

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