Project Scope Statement

March 24, 2025
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What is a Project Scope Statement?

A project scope statement is a formal document that clearly outlines a project’s boundaries, goals, deliverables, and requirements. It is a foundational reference for all stakeholders and guides decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. When developed early in the planning phase, this document ensures that everyone involved understands what the project will achieve and what is outside its boundaries.

The statement typically describes the project objectives, major deliverables, assumptions, constraints, and acceptance criteria. By defining what is in and out of scope, the document helps prevent scope creep, reduces misunderstandings, and improves overall project control. It acts as a point of agreement among the client, project team, and other stakeholders.

A well-crafted scope statement supports communication, improves planning accuracy, and aligns efforts with defined goals, contributing to project success.

Key Points

  • Defines the project’s objectives, deliverables, and limitations
  • Clarifies what work is included and what is excluded
  • Aligns stakeholder expectations to reduce conflicts and confusion
  • Helps manage changes through a clear baseline of agreed-upon work
  • It is often part of the larger scope management plan or project charter

Related Terms

  • Project scope refers to the total work required to deliver a product, service, or result.
  • Scope creep is the uncontrolled expansion of project scope without proper approval or time, cost, and resource adjustments.
  • Work breakdown structure translates the project scope statement into a detailed hierarchy of tasks.
  • Project charter often includes or is supported by the project scope statement as a high-level project summary.
  • Requirements documentation supports the scope statement by detailing the specific needs the project must meet.

Project Scope Statement: Example

A software development project includes a scope statement that outlines the creation of a mobile app for customer service. The statement specifies that the app will feature user login, chat support, and ticket tracking. It also clearly states that integration with third-party platforms is out of scope. The document lists the key deliverables, assumptions such as resource availability, and constraints like a fixed budget and timeline.

Project Scope Statement: Best Practices

  • Involve key stakeholders during development to capture all relevant needs.
  • Use clear and specific language to avoid misinterpretation.
  • Regularly review and update the document if changes are approved.
  • Align the statement with the project charter and business objectives.
  • Maintain version control to track revisions and ensure accountability.

Additional Resources

Project Scope Statement - Project Scope Management (Best Practices in Portfolio, Program, and Project Management)     Project Scope Statement - Set the Scope for a Successful Project-Prevent Scope Creep

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