There are many factors that can cause a project’s direction to be twisted. Poorly written scope documents (or lack thereof) are sure to cause a project to go sideways.
It is possible that you don’t know what a scope is. You may not be required to create project scope documents, as not all organizations require them.
If you are looking to set expectations and keep your projects on track, a scope can be useful.
What is the scope of a project?
A project scope document (sometimes called a scope of work (SOW)), is a critical piece of project paperwork that aligns stakeholders, teams, and defines the boundaries of a project before it starts.
A well-written scope document can help you avoid major headaches by clearly defining the project elements.
Project goals
Requirements
Major deliverables
Key milestones
Assumptions
Constraints
These essential scope elements allow you to say “no” to new requests while delivering a project on time and within budget.
A well-documented scope is the final piece that brings everyone together, team members and stakeholders, around the crucial details that can make or break a project.
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By knowing when to say no, you can keep everyone on the same page regarding project goals and priorities. You can create a simple plan in just 10 minutes.
Get your free plan. How to create a scope for work document
It is obvious that finalizing a solid scope requires a lot of thought, discussion, and sometimes even debate. It is worth the effort, as a well-written scope document can increase your chances of leading a successful and profitable project.
There are many ways to create scope statements. Let’s take a closer look at the details that make a project SOW effective.
What is included in the scope of the agreement?
These are some elements you might add to your scope statement.
Business case and goals
Every project has goals. These are the goals you will be setting. This section typically includes the reasons the project is being financially funded. It also contains a list of business goals and project outcomes that your team should be aware of when executing the project.
These details are important to keep track of as there may be times when requests from stakeholders (and sometimes team members) will creep in and threaten your budget or timeline. You can reduce the risks if the business case is not met.
Description of the project and its deliverables
This one is simple: A simple overview of all the deliverables for the project in plain English. Avoid confusion by clearly describing the deliverables throughout the project.
If you’re creating a television ad for a client’s product promotion, you might say: Company name will produce a 60-second video advertisement using AVI format.
This brief description gives an overview of the project. However, it also includes details like the amount and the length.
Acceptance criteria
Scope should be used to help you reach an agreement about what will happen and when it will end. Acceptance criteria can be measured to show that the work has been completed.
These conditions or criteria can be found in project requirements, user acceptance testing, or just a final stakeholder assessment.
Limitations
Each project is unique.
