scope management

2. 5.1 What are the principal benefits of developing a comprehensive
project scope analysis?
 A extensive project scope analysis serves several benefits that permit a
company to guide the dream of a project to successful completion. One
benefit is transforming the idea of the project into a working concept.
Once the concept is developed, project details can be mapped out.
Scope analysis outlines each step of the project in a detailed manner.
The primary benefit is that it aligns the project so the final product will
be consisted with the original goals/objectives.
By outlining each step, scope analysis increases the likelihood that the
project will stay within budget and time constraints, and meet
predetermined specifications and quality parameters.

3. 5.2 What are the key characteristics of a work package?
A work package is a specific step of the project. Work packages are
smaller pieces of the whole project, which are more manageable and
definable than the whole.
They create a chronological map from one
step to the next, detailing what needs to be completed at each stage.
Each work package includes its own deadline, resource requirements,
and supervisor/s. Work packages can be further broken down into
subtasks that can be assigned to an individual worker or group.
 Collectively, all the work packages of a project combine to lead the
project team from start to completion of the project.

4. • 5.3 Create a Work Breakdown Structure for a term paper project or
another school-related project you are working on. What are the
steps in the WBS? Can you identify any substeps for each step?
This assignment is designed to get students comfortable with
deconstructing the project into various levels, including Deliverables
and Work Packages. The goal is identifying the relevant elements in
the project, not the sequential nature of those steps. If instructors
wish, they can ask students to create some idea of the sequentiality
of these WBS elements as a second step.

5. • 5.4 What are the benefits of developing a Responsibility Assignment Matrix
(RAM) for a project?
The RAM outlines the team members directly responsible for each task. It also
includes a list of supporting organizational members. It is beneficial for following
chain of command, solving interdepartmental issues, and receiving proper
approval. Additionally, the RAM increases the flow of communication throughout
the team. By knowing who is in charge of what, members can notify the
necessary people of progress or completion of tasks. This keeps the group
informed of potential problems and up-to-date on the project’s current status.
• The process of creating the RAM is also beneficial to the project manager. It
requires the identification of team members’ abilities, qualifications, strengths,
and weaknesses. Tasks and assignments can then be better coordinated to create
the highest level of efficiency.

6. • 5.5 Develop an argument for scope reporting mechanisms. At a minimum, what types of
reports do you consider necessary for document control of a project? Why?
Two main concerns of project scope are seeing that the project meets time and budget
constraints. Without some sort of limits (i.e., project scope), projects can quickly become
expensive and long-term investments of a company’s time and resources. Scope
reporting can help reduce the risk of such runaway projects. Reports that update on
costs incurred using S-curves and variance updates are important for keeping the project
within budget constraints. These reports may also serve as control mechanisms. If team
members know they will have to publish spending reports frequently to other members
in the organization, they may be less likely to approve unscheduled expenditures.
Reports related to adherence to the planned time schedule work in a similar fashion. If
the project begins to lag behind, team members may have more incentive to look for the
cause of the delays if they are required to report variances from the planned timetable.

7. • 5.6 What is the chief purpose of configuration management? In your opinion,
why has it become increasingly popular in recent years as part of the project
management process?
The main purpose of configuration management is to manage and control change
within projects. Those involved in the project agree upon a plan for execution of
activities and tasks. Configuration management then monitors variations from
this pre-established plan. Change is an anticipated factor of project management.
Configuration management provides a way to deal with changes as they arise, so
they do not cause more disruption than necessary. Changes are documented so
that all involved in the project may be notified and modifications can be made
universally. By identifying necessary changes as early as possible and handling the
problem early on, configuration management decreases time delays related to
unforeseen conditions, and helps reduce obstacles that may result from change
later on in the project process.

8. • 5.7 What is the logic behind developing a plan for project closeout
prior to even beginning the project?
Upon completion of the project, certain documentation will be required
by management and/or the client involved. The documentation may be
used for legal purposes, as training material, or in auditing procedures;
therefore, it is important that the closeout information be thorough and
accurate. Creating a plan early on is important because proper
documentation may need to be performed as the project progresses.
By knowing what information will be required at the end of the project,
the team can keep proper records at various stages as the project
advances. Trying to create this documentation after the fact may be
difficult or inaccurate.