MGMT 6055

PROJECT SCOPE &

REQUIREMENTS
LAWRENCE KINLIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
MODULE 7
“Your user “Do you realize that
no human would be “Good point. I’d
requirements
able to use a product better add
include four
with that level of “EASY TO USE”
hundred features”
complexity?” to the list”
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Collect Requirements - Outputs
• Define Scope process
Recall from last few modules
(PMBOK 6th ed., p. 138)…
 OUTPUT #1: REQUIREMENTS
DOCUMENTATION (BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
DOCUMENT - BRD)

• Details the business solution (customer needs)

• Gain agreement with stakeholders
• Used for communication and understanding

Example (modify to suit

your project type)

Reminder: To access embedded templates, switch to slide editor

mode (not slideshow mode) and double click on template icon!
BUSINESS REQUIREMENT DOCUMENT -
EXAMPLES
OUTPUT #1: BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT
(BRD)

• Documenting functional and non-functional

requirements…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6R7njeK-qg
(functional)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DwpAyzJrVQ
(non-functional)

… pay attention to how requirements are worded –

brief, clear and concise statements with verbs like
“shall” and “will”!!
 OUTPUT #2: REQUIREMENTS
TRACEABILITY MATRIX

• Table used to link requirements to their origin and

traces them throughout the project lifecycle
• Ensures requirements add business value by linking to
business/project objective
• Ensures requirements are completed

Example (modify to suit

your project type)
DEFINING THE PROJECT SCOPE
 SIX scope-related
processes
(activities) are
described in the
PMBOK 6th ed. text

Source: PMBOK (6th ed), pg. 130

 DEFINE SCOPE - INPUTS

• Project Charter
• Project Management Plan (Scope Management
Plan)
• Project documents:
– Requirements documentation
– Risk register
– Assumption log
• Enterprise environmental factors
• Organizational process assets
 DEFINE SCOPE - TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

• Expert judgement
• Data analysis (alternatives analysis)
• Decision making (multi-criteria decision
analysis)
• Interpersonal and team skills
(facilitation)
• Product analysis
 CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SCOPE STATEMENT

• Experts
• Templates
• Forms
• Past history
• Talk to other project managers
• Stakeholders
• The customer
DEFINE SCOPE - OUTPUTS
• Project scope statement
• Project document updates
– Assumption log
– Requirements documentation
– Requirements traceability matrix
– Stakeholder register
 SCOPE STATEMENT
• The customer, sponsor, or other stakeholders must be
able to read the scope statement and agree to what is
being created (and what is NOT being created)

• Contains a detailed description of the project and

product scope
– Product scope:
e.g., features, functionality
of deliverables
– Project scope:
e.g., budget, schedule
 PURPOSE OF THE SCOPE STATEMENT

• Tells you what’s in the project… and what’s out Down

loa
S
• Basis to make future decisions St cop d t
a his
te tem e
mp e
• Common understanding (objectives and lat nt
e!
deliverables)
• Can measure performance
• Evaluate change requests against
• Jump off point for project plan
• Does not include detailed budget/schedule or
specific work steps
 SCOPE STATEMENT CHECKLIST
Generally includes…
– Project objectives (needs and wants)
– Deliverables
– Milestones
– Technical requirements
– Key resources
– Limits and exclusions (project
boundaries)
– Reviews with customer
(acceptance process)
– Assumptions and constraints
 ASSUMPTIONS? CONSTRAINTS?
• Read this description so that you are clear about the
difference between ASSUMPTIONS and CONSTRAINTS:
http://pmstudycircle.com/2012/10/assumptions-and-con
straints-in-project-management/

• Examples of assumptions for a construction project:

– Heavy construction equipment will be available
– The weather will be favourable
– We will be able to obtain construction permits in a timely manner
(without delays)
• Examples of constraints for a construction project:
– Project must be completed before a specified date
– Workers cannot work during the night or while it’s raining
– The project cannot exceed the $2 million budget
– We must use unionized construction workers
ASSUMPTIONS AND CONSTRAINTS

• Video:
Freelance advice: the importance of cl
arifying assumptions

• Video:
Understanding Project Assumptions and
Constraints - Videocast