Identifying the key elements to be included into the project is an essential step towards completing the latter successfully (Larson & Grey, 2011). By listing the key components, one creates the layout of the project that will help complete specific objectives and, therefore, reach the primary goals within a comparatively short amount of time.
Herein the significance of the project scope lies; embracing the essential constructs and variables that the study will look at (Wirick, 2011), the above-mentioned element of a project proposal defines the course for the entire research.
Traditionally, the elements such as the project goals, expected outcomes (deliverables), the key stages, requirements concerning equipment, limitations and exclusions, as well as revisions from the customer (Larson & Grey, 2011, p. 102).
The specified elements allow for understanding the project better; specifically, the intentions of the researcher are clarified in the project scope as the hypothesis regarding the possible relation between the project variables is created. Each of the elements listed above adds to the overall identification of the project goals and significance, thus, paving the researcher’s way to further exploration of the subject matter.
The goals of the project are the key concepts that need to be listed in the project scope, as they basically prove the existence of the reason to carry out the study in the first place. Particularly, by listing the key objectives of the project, one creates the layout of the study, therefore, drafting a plan.
While it is important to know the direction, in which research is going to evolve, it is also crucial to figure out what the results of the study are most likely to be.
This is the point, at which deliverables of the research factor in. helping one identify the possible outcomes of the study, deliverables set expectations for the research to meet, therefore, assuring that there will be not only a rigid set of objectives to attain but also a certain hypothesis to prove either right or wrong. In other words, deliverables help structure the paper in the way that will allow for a close analysis of relations between the variables of the project.
Consequently, the location of the stages of the research is another important element of creating a project scope. By setting specific objectives, one defines the structure of the project. As a result, the changes made to the latter are much easier to track down, as well as analyze the impact thereof.
The significance of the equipment required for the study is quite obvious; limitations, however, are often underestimated. Creating boundaries for the researcher (Larson & Grey, 2011), limitations define the area to be studied. As a result, the amount of work to be carried out is reduced significantly.
As far as the revisions are concerned, customer’s corrections can be viewed as an inevitable and integral part of the project. No matter how carefully the project has been managed, there will always be certain discrepancies that the customer would like to address. Helping make the project impeccable, revisions from the customer are the concluding stage of the project scope development.
Managing a project is a difficult task that presupposes completing tasks in an efficient and expeditious manner. Creating a project scope is the first step towards managing the project successfully. By prioritizing the existing objectives, the above-mentioned tool allows for identifying the further course of actions.
Reference List
Larson, E. W. & Grey, G. F. (2011). Project management. New York City, New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Wirick, D. (2011). Public-sector project management: Meeting the challenges and achieving results. New York City, New York: John Wiley & Sons.