A carefully written scope statement is the first step in reducing project risk. Defining the project scope and writing the scope statement is one of the most critical activities a project manager is required to do.

The scope statement is a detailed description of the work to be performed to deliver the product, service, or result with the specified features and functions as required by the project owner. Writing a comprehensive project scope statement is a challenging task at the best of times, but this task is made easier when you use a template as a guide.

Use this fully customizable MS Word template to guide you through the process. Key sections of the template include:

• Project background and current environment.
• Project business objective.
• Comprehensive description of the product, service, or result to be delivered.
• Project scope:
  • Key deliverables and expected outcomes.
  • Project boundaries: what is included in, and what is excluded from the project.
  • Context analysis: a description of the organizational context and environment within which the project will operate.
  • Preliminary schedule.
  • Preliminary estimate of resources.
  • Preliminary budget.
• Key project parameters, including:
• • Key constraints.
  • Key assumptions.
  • Detailed risk analysis.
  • Critical success factors
    • What key stakeholders expect from the project.
    • How success of the project will be measured.
    • Who will decide if the project is successful, and
    • Who will sign the project off.
  • Project, stage or phase exit criteria
    
  There are two templates included in the downloadable file: a) detailed scope planning template, and b) simple scope template.