A project life cycle is a project framework that helps project managers guide their project from the planning to the closing of the project in a systematic manner. Each project has five (5) life cycle stages. The scoping of the project happens in the first stage, which is called 'Initiating'.
Project life cycle stages include:
- Initiating
- Planning
- Implementation
- Monitoring and Control
- Closing
This can be represented in the following graphic:
Defining the project scope is the first step when planning a project. This step is critical, as it defines the broader project objectives, requirements, and deliverables. The project scope represents the ‘voice of the customer’, meaning that it translates the internal or external customer’s wants into specific, measurable criteria to be achieved.
If the project scope lacks definition or is non-existent, then the project will lack direction and, as a result, will likely fail.
Just imagine a personal goal of getting healthier and fitter. What if you would just tell yourself to do more sport and eat healthier. Would this drive change? Would you achieve your goal? But what is the goal? You would set measurable objectives to achieve such a goal, such as wanting to run twice a week and eating plant-based foods at least four days per week. You would also measure your baseline weight and set a weight target, e.g. 60 kilograms. This then becomes a defined plan with measurable goals and is much more likely to be achieved than the broad goal of getting healthier and fitter. Work projects are the same in that they need to be defined well, using what is called the project scope.
But what is 'project scope'?
Project scope is a way to set boundaries on your project and define exactly what goals, deadlines, and project deliverables you'll be working towards.
By clarifying your project scope, you can ensure you hit your project goals and objectives without delay or overwork.
Your role as a project assistant is to contribute to the development of the project scope, by giving the project direction and a way of monitoring progress.
In this module, you will learn how to effectively:
- Contribute to defining project scope
- Apply project scope controls
- Contribute to the review of scope controls.
WATCH
The following 3-minute video provides a comprehensive definition of what the project scope is:
