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Defining and managing program scope

Part of the Responsibilities section.

Project scope is the work that needs to be done to complete a program. It includes the deliverables, or work products, that must be completed in order to achieve the program's goals. The scope of a program can be defined in a number of ways, including:

program scope

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  • The program charter: The program charter is a document that defines the program's goals, objectives, and scope.
  • Here's a Program Charter Template.
  • The work breakdown structure: The work breakdown structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of the program's deliverables.
  • The program scope statement: The program scope statement is a document that describes the program's scope in detail.

The program scope is important because it helps to ensure that the program stays on track and that the team does not work on unnecessary tasks. It also helps to prevent scope creep, which is the addition of work to a program beyond what was initially agreed to.

There are a number of ways to define and manage program scope. These include:

  • Defining the scope early: The program scope should be defined as early as possible in the program. This will help to ensure that the program stays on track and that the team does not work on unnecessary tasks. Remember to stay agile: the early definition of scope is rarely the scope that a program finishes.
  • Get stakeholder input: The program scope should be developed with input from all of the program's stakeholders. This will help to ensure that the scope is aligned with the program's goals and objectives.
  • Use a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): The WBS can be used to define the program's scope. The WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of the program's deliverables.
  • Use a program scope statement: The program scope statement can be used to define the program's scope in detail. The program scope statement should include the program's goals, objectives, and deliverables.
  • Monitor the scope: The program scope should be monitored throughout the program. This will help to ensure that the scope is on track and that the team does not work on unnecessary tasks.

Defining and managing program scope is an important part of program management. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your program stays on track and that you deliver the results that your stakeholders expect.