Simone Lawson
A scope baseline is a set of documents that define the scope of a project from beginning to end. It is a crucial part of the project plan, providing a reference point for the entire project lifecycle. The scope baseline includes the scope statement, work breakdown structure (WBS), and WBS dictionary, which together outline the project's goals, deliverables, work requirements, and structure. It is used to monitor progress, ensure alignment with objectives, and protect against scope creep, which can impact cost, schedule, and final deliverables. The scope baseline is subject to approval by relevant stakeholders and can be modified through a formal change process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To define the scope of a project, protect it from scope creep, and serve as a reference point throughout the project lifecycle |
| Documents | Scope statement, work breakdown structure (WBS), WBS dictionary |
| Scope Statement | Summarises the project's scope, purpose, main objectives, key deliverables, requirements, assumptions, and constraints |
| Work Breakdown Structure | Decomposition of the work to be delivered by the project, divided into smaller, more manageable "packages" of work |
| WBS Dictionary | Includes detailed information about each component in the WBS, such as work packages, control accounts, and planning packages |
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What You'll Learn
Scope statement
A scope statement is a crucial part of the scope baseline, which is a set of documents that define the scope of a project from beginning to end. It is a written definition of the project scope, including the goals, deliverables, and work involved in the project.
The scope statement is a summary of the project's scope, outlining the main objectives, key deliverables, and other critical requirements. It is a concise document that provides a clear understanding of the project's purpose and what needs to be delivered. It is important to note that the scope statement is not just a simple description of the project but also includes specific details about the work required to create the deliverables. This may include any assumptions or potential challenges that the team might face during the project.
The scope statement is a foundational document that guides the project's progress and helps to ensure that all work is aligned with the project objectives. It is a reference point for the project team and stakeholders to understand the agreed-upon scope, goals, and deliverables. By having a well-defined scope statement, the project is protected from scope creep, which occurs when there are undefined or changing expectations about the scope of the project.
Additionally, the scope statement is used to create an accurate project budget and timeline, preventing conflicting expectations about the final product. It provides a performance measurement baseline to evaluate the success of the project upon its completion. It is a dynamic document that can be modified through a formal change control process if the project scope needs to be adjusted.
Overall, the scope statement is an essential component of the scope baseline, providing clarity, structure, and guidance to the project team and stakeholders throughout the project's lifecycle. It ensures that everyone involved is working towards the same goals and delivers a successful project outcome.
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Work breakdown structure
A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a key project management tool that breaks down a project into smaller, more manageable components. It is a foundational building block for initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling processes. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) defines the WBS as a "hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables".
The WBS provides a common framework for the natural development of the overall planning and control of a contract. It is the basis for dividing work into definable increments, from which technical, schedule, cost, and labour hour reporting can be established. It is a tree structure, which shows a subdivision of effort required to achieve an objective. The WBS is organised around the primary products of the project (or planned outcomes) rather than the work needed to produce them.
There are two types of WBS: Deliverable-Based and Phase-Based. The most common and preferred approach is the Deliverable-Based approach, which demonstrates the relationship between the project deliverables and the scope. The Phase-Based approach groups the work under key phases or stages of the project lifecycle.
The WBS is developed at the start of a project and is an iterative process. It is a critical tool for project managers as it helps to make the project more manageable and provides a framework for detailed cost estimation and control, while providing guidance for schedule development and control.
The WBS is a critical component of the scope baseline, which is a bundle of scope-related documents that set out the approved scope of a project. The scope baseline defines and documents the scope of a project clearly and in detail from the beginning. It is a reference point throughout the project to evaluate progress and make adjustments as needed to stay within the scope.
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WBS dictionary
The WBS dictionary is one of the three pillars that support project scope management, the other two being a work breakdown structure (WBS) and a project scope statement. These three components give you the scope baseline for your project.
The WBS dictionary is a formal project document that provides detailed descriptions of key information for all elements in the WBS. It is created by the project manager, who also organizes the activities necessary to fill it out. The project manager will interview subject matter experts and team members to ensure that the WBS dictionary is thorough and complete in its descriptions.
The WBS dictionary includes an outline of the WBS and supplemental information. It allows you to define each of the steps on the WBS and how to execute them to reach the final deliverable of the project. The document includes a work package, which defines the related tasks, and control accounts, which integrate the scope, budget, actual cost, and schedule for those tasks. The WBS dictionary also includes whatever milestones are related, the project scope, and in some instances dates, resources, cost, and quantity.
The WBS dictionary is created after the WBS has been approved. The creation of the WBS Dictionary is led by the project manager and developed by project team members who are subject matter experts. The development approach begins with the Level 1 elements, proceeds down each leg, and terminates with the work packages. This hierarchical approach ensures that the work within each Level 1 remains in alignment and compliance with the 100% Rule, which requires that the WBS captures 100% of the project scope.
The primary purpose of the WBS dictionary is for project team members to have a clear understanding of the work being performed in all the elements and particularly the work packages. It is a concise explanation of important topics related to each element.
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Project goals and objectives
The scope baseline is a reference point for the project team and stakeholders to understand the project's goals, constraints, and key deliverables. It is a written agreement that consolidates the expectations and requirements of stakeholders. It is important to gain the buy-in of all involved parties, including stakeholders, project managers, and team members, by defining the project's goals and objectives in the scope baseline. This ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the same outcome.
The scope statement, a part of the scope baseline, summarizes the purpose and main objectives of the project. It also includes the project's key requirements, assumptions, and constraints, such as a fixed timeline or budget. This statement is a clear definition of the project's scope, including the goals, deliverables, and work involved. It is a crucial component of the scope baseline as it provides a concise overview of the project's goals and objectives, ensuring that all team members are aware of their responsibilities and what they need to deliver.
The work breakdown structure (WBS) is another essential component of the scope baseline. It breaks down the project's deliverables into smaller, more manageable "packages" of work or phases. This allows for better planning and allocation of resources, ensuring that the project team can accomplish the objectives effectively. The WBS provides a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work, including tasks, activities, and resources required to achieve the project's goals.
The scope baseline also includes the WBS dictionary, which provides detailed information about each component in the WBS. It outlines the specific tasks, activities, and deliverables associated with each "package" of work. This ensures that everyone involved understands their responsibilities and how their work contributes to the overall project objectives.
In conclusion, the scope baseline is a vital tool for any project as it establishes and communicates the project goals and objectives to all stakeholders and team members. It provides a clear direction, ensures alignment, and helps monitor progress toward achieving the desired outcomes. By defining the scope, the scope baseline plays a crucial role in guiding the project's progress and success.
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Legal protection
A scope baseline is a set of documents that defines the scope of a project from the beginning to the end of its life cycle. It is a critical tool for project management, providing a clear framework for all involved parties to understand and refer to. The scope baseline is also essential for evaluating the success of a project once completed.
A scope baseline is a legally protective document for all involved parties, including clients and project managers. It provides a detailed account of the project's goals, constraints, and expected deliverables, serving as a reference point to assess whether the parties have fulfilled their agreement. This is especially beneficial in the event of legal disputes, as it outlines the responsibilities and expectations of each party.
The scope baseline helps prevent scope creep, which occurs when stakeholders introduce new deliverables without considering the necessary resources. By defining all components of a project in advance and obtaining stakeholder approval, the scope baseline ensures that any changes to the project's scope follow a formal process. This protects the project's cost and schedule from the negative impacts of scope creep.
Additionally, the scope baseline protects against scope gaps, which arise from differing expectations among stakeholders about the project's goals and deliverables. With a well-defined scope baseline, all stakeholders agree on the scope of the project, enabling the creation of an accurate project budget and timeline. This reduces the likelihood of conflicting expectations and provides a performance measurement baseline to evaluate the project's success accurately.
The scope baseline also allows project managers to review their initial agreement and determine if they require additional time or resources to accommodate new client requests. It provides a clear record of the project's scope and helps hold all parties accountable to their agreed-upon responsibilities.
In summary, the scope baseline serves as a legal safeguard by providing a detailed and approved record of the project's scope, goals, constraints, and deliverables. It protects all involved parties by establishing clear expectations, preventing scope creep, and providing a benchmark to assess the project's success and the fulfilment of agreements.
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Frequently asked questions
A scope baseline is a set of documents that defines the scope of a project from the beginning of its life cycle to the end. It is used as a reference to monitor project progress and compare actual versus planned results.
A scope baseline typically consists of a scope statement, a work breakdown structure, and a WBS dictionary. The scope statement summarizes the purpose, goals, and main objectives of the project. The work breakdown structure breaks down the project's deliverables into smaller, more manageable "packages" of work. The WBS dictionary provides detailed information about each component in the WBS, including work packages, control accounts, and planning packages.
A scope baseline is important because it provides a clear and detailed definition of the project's scope, goals, and deliverables. It helps to ensure that all stakeholders are aligned and working towards the same goal. It also serves as a reference point to evaluate progress, measure success, and protect against scope creep or scope gaps, which can compromise the quality, delivery, and cost of the project.
