Project Scope as defined by Portny et al (2008) is the description of deliverables, or what work will be performed (pg. 30). Since my inception into the career world, I have worked on several projects. Each project is different not only in scope but in risk and outcomes.
The Project
An issue on a recent project was around business process deliverables. At the slated date of starting the project the deliverable was in scope, however; as soon as onsite time with the client began we quickly realized that the project deliverable estimated time and budget was out of scope. As we all know time, resources, and budget are key drivers in projects success and failures. Resources for once was not the major issue, it was budget and time. The original statement of work did not equate the amount of effort that was needed to go into this specific project deliverable.
Scope Creep
Scope creep is the natural tendency of the client as well as project team members to try to improve the projects output as the project progresses (Portny et al 2008, pg. 350). In the scenario described above, scope creep began when onsite time with the client insight into the actual effort that would be needed to complete the project deliverable. To manage this scenario it is important for the project manager to understand the deliverable and to provide the client with realistic effort. Duration is commonly provided and effort estimation is overlooked. This is what happened with "The Project".
References:
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M.,
Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project
management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Britney it sounds like you were really in a bad predicament. However, I have always placed the budget at the top of my resource list. Without capital, I can’t accomplish anything. Once I have the budget, I begin allocating the time. I’ve always used to the backwards planning philosophy to get me through my projects. It appears that the PM was not thoroughly familiar with the SOW.
ReplyDelete Managing Project Activities
Prepare weekly status report
Document weekly status reports to the Statement of Work (SOW)
Schedule a daily project review
Begin with individuals who are having difficulties or those who are
succeeding
Communicate with the client
Know what progress is going on, delays or problems or issues
~Chuck~
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Monitoring projects [Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://www.courseurl.com.
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Brittany,
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding us that scope creep is part of any project, and if one denies its existence places an automatic hinderance on the project.
Taking the time to ponder what could come up prepares a project manager to address as needed. A veteran project manager always anticipates, but never denies that it would happen to their project.
Marnie