Project Scoping
Make boundaries explicit so teams ship the right thing: clear in/out, measurable done, and honest constraints.
When to Use
- Starting initiatives, reframing slipping timelines, or when “small asks” keep appearing mid-flight.
Workflow
- Answer in writing: in scope, out of scope, definition of done, constraints (time, budget, quality, people), and assumptions.
- MoSCoW prioritize: Must / Should / Could / Won’t (this version)—especially for feature creep.
- Iron triangle reminder: fast, cheap, good—pick the two that are fixed; negotiate the third.
- Produce a one-paragraph brief plus success metrics; get explicit sign-off from decision-makers.
- Revisit scope when assumptions break (vendor delay, regulation, key hire, etc.) and document changes.
Examples
Example 1: “Just add analytics” mid-project → classify as Should/Could, trade against Must timeline, or phase two with a date.
Example 2: Vague “improve onboarding” → define done (e.g., time-to-first-value, completion rate) and list Won’t items (e.g., no mobile app this quarter).
1---2name: project-scoping3description: Project Scoping4---5# Project Scoping67Make boundaries explicit so teams ship the **right** thing: clear in/out, measurable done, and honest constraints.89## When to Use10- Starting initiatives, reframing slipping timelines, or when “small asks” keep appearing mid-flight.1112## Workflow131. Answer in writing: **in scope**, **out of scope**, **definition of done**, **constraints** (time, budget, quality, people), and **assumptions**.142. **MoSCoW** prioritize: Must / Should / Could / Won’t (this version)—especially for feature creep.153. **Iron triangle** reminder: fast, cheap, good—pick the two that are fixed; negotiate the third.164. Produce a **one-paragraph brief** plus success metrics; get **explicit sign-off** from decision-makers.175. **Revisit scope** when assumptions break (vendor delay, regulation, key hire, etc.) and document changes.1819## Examples20**Example 1:** “Just add analytics” mid-project → classify as Should/Could, trade against Must timeline, or phase two with a date.2122**Example 2:** Vague “improve onboarding” → define done (e.g., time-to-first-value, completion rate) and list Won’t items (e.g., no mobile app this quarter).
sethdford