Concepts
The project scope underpins the boundaries of the project. It determines what deliverables will be produced in the project, the required resources, the necessary tasks, and the stakeholders involved in each phase of the project. This high-level understanding is critical in ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and understand what the project is about and what it entails.
Understanding the project scope entails identifying the project objectives, deliverables, tasks, costs, and deadlines. It further involves identifying any potential risks or bottlenecks and how to mitigate them. This understanding is crucial in prioritizing tasks and deliverables, developing the project schedule and budget, and ultimately determining the project’s success.
For instance, consider a software development project with a high-level scope to develop and deliver a scalable customer relationship management system. In this case, the high-level deliverables might include:
- Requirement gathering and documentation
- System design and architecture plans
- Developed code and unit tests
- System testing and user acceptance testing
- Training and support documentation
Scheduling the Project
After understanding the project scope, the next step is to develop a project schedule. The project schedule provides a timeline for when tasks will be initiated and completed, resources will be needed, and milestones will be achieved.
Scheduling involves identifying the sequence and dependencies of tasks, estimating the duration of each task, and allocating resources to tasks. Once all these are considered and factored in, a project schedule can be developed. This schedule acts as a tool for tracking task progress and resource utilization throughout the project.
Here, refer to our previous example. If requirement gathering and documentation is estimated to take two weeks, it will be scheduled first. System design might take another three weeks and will be scheduled next, and so on.
Cost Range Estimates
The final component to consider in the initial stage of planning project management is cost range estimates. The cost range estimates provide an indication of the total costs that are expected to be incurred on the project. They include costs related to manpower, software, hardware, and other resources required to deliver the project.
Determining cost estimates can be done using several techniques. One such technique is the Parametric Estimating, where historical project data is used to make estimates. Another technique is Analogous Estimating, which involves using costs from similar projects as a base and then adjusting for differences in scope or complexity.
For instance, in our software development project, costs might include developer salaries, costs of software and hardware, costs of training, and contingencies.
It should be noted that the cost range defined at this stage is an estimate. You may expect variations to occur as the project progression will inevitably provide more clarity on precise costs.
Outlining the Effort Necessary to Deliver the Project
The above three elements – scope, schedule, and cost range – collectively provide a high-level understanding of the effort necessary to deliver the project. They act as a starting point for managing the project and assist in monitoring and controlling the project across its lifecycle. However, it is important to note that all these factors can change during the life of the project. Therefore, regular reviews and updates are crucial to ensure that the project stays on track and within its intended scope, time, and cost.
To conclude, understanding the project scope, schedule, and cost range is essential for managing any project, agile or otherwise. By diligently working on these attributes, project managers can not only plan efficiently but also execute successfully. Hence, prospective PMI-ACP exam takers must grasp these concepts thoroughly.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: The initial scope of a project does not need to be estimated at the start of a project.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The initial scope of a project gives a high-level understanding of what needs to be achieved in the project and forms the basis of the project’s planning and execution.
What is the purpose of creating initial scope, schedule, and cost range estimates in a project?
- A) To establish a base for comparison
- B) To get initial project approval
- C) To inform stakeholders about the project’s progress
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: The initial estimates help in securing project approval and establish a baseline for monitoring and controlling the project. It also helps stakeholders understand the project’s feasibility and requirements.
True or False: The initial cost range for a project is always accurate and complete.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The initial cost range is only a rough estimate and can change as the project evolves and more information becomes available.
Multiple Select: Which of the following factors should be considered when creating initial project estimates?
- A) Historical data
- B) Resources available
- C) Future market trends
- D) The weather forecast
Answer: A) Historical data and B) Resources available
Explanation: Historical data and available resources are relevant factors to consider when creating initial project estimates. Future market trends could possibly impact, but it’s still speculative. Weather forecast is not directly relevant unless the project is related to environmental or agricultural aspects.
Single Select: What is the most important reason for creating initial scope, schedule, and cost range estimates?
- A) Helps in bidding for the project
- B) Increases project success rate
- C) Determines the project’s constraints
- D) Improves stakeholder communication
Answer: B) Increases project success rate
Explanation: While all other options are benefits of initial estimates, the most important reason is that it helps increase the chances of project success by identifying and managing potential risks and changes.
True or False: Initial scope, schedule, and cost range estimates help in risk identification and mitigation.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Initial estimates help identify potential risks, resource requirements, and constraints, thereby facilitating risk mitigation strategies.
Single Select: Who is primarily responsible for creating initial scope, schedule, and cost range estimates in Agile Project Management?
- A) Project Owner
- B) Scrum Master
- C) Product Owner
- D) Project Team
Answer: C) Product Owner
Explanation: In Agile Project Management, the Product Owner is responsible for the initial definition and prioritization of the project scope, which influences the schedule and cost estimates as well.
True or False: The initial scope, schedule, and cost range estimates cannot be changed once the project has started.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In Agile Project Management, flexibility is a key principle. As the project progresses and more information becomes available, these initial estimates can and often have to be adjusted.
Single Select: What does a high-level understanding in project management refer to?
- A) A detailed project plan
- B) An overall or aggregate understanding of the project
- C) A deep comprehension of the technical aspects of the project
- D) A complete understanding of the risks involved in the project
Answer: B) An overall or aggregate understanding of the project
Explanation: A high-level understanding in project management refers to an overall or aggregate understanding of the project as opposed to its detailed or technical aspects.
Great article on creating initial scope, schedule, and cost range estimates for PMI-ACP projects!
How do you effectively manage scope creep during the initial estimation phase?
Using techniques like Planning Poker can be really effective for schedule estimation in Agile projects.
Can someone explain how to factor in risk when creating initial cost estimates?
This blog post was very insightful. Appreciate the detailed approach to initial project estimations!
PMI-ACP certification definitely helps in mastering project estimations and agile methodologies.
Do we have any tools that can assist in creating more accurate initial estimates?
I’ve had success with combining story points and velocity for schedule estimations.