In the next several posts we would like to discuss the basics of scope management since it is one of the most important parts of project management which we at Softheme pay special attention to. Due to proper application of scope management approaches to the projects of our clients, Softheme is so successful and productive in delivering projects of various complexity levels. So we believe it would be useful to share our experience regarding this matter.
Scope management is a starting point for any project
However, with web being a more dynamic sphere of development, we believe that scope management is better applicable to application development which usually requires a more thorough approach.
It is needless to say that the most common reason behind project failures is poor scope definition. This means that the expectations of the stakeholders, mainly of the client or sponsor, and the expectations of the project team are quite different. Being a most difficult problem, it is nevertheless critical to the success of the project. Projects fail due to many reasons, and understanding them does a good job in helping to avoid failures.
When the just-formed project team starts to discuss the scope of the project with the customer, the latter, so far, believes that the project is already defined. This is why the whole process of scope definition usually looks like a waste of time for the customer who may even resist the scope definition process because of reluctance to engage in defining the project. Though it may be difficult, the project team needs to convince the customer that they both have the same goal for the project. Giving the customer something that has value and something that does what is initially expected is the common objective for both parties. At the same time, the project team has to understand the customer as well and should be patient even if they know more about the project than the customer does. Anyway, the fact that the project team is working on the project means that they are proficient at doing the project. So, if you are doing a project, don’t be frustrated and try to get your message across to the customer.
Stay with us because in the next post we will talk about initiation of the project and the so called project charter document.
Sincerely,
Softheme team
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