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Control Scope

5 minutes 5 Questions

Control Scope is the process of monitoring the status of the project and managing changes to the scope baseline. It includes identifying and addressing any deviations from the project scope, assessing the impact of proposed changes, and managing any necessary modifications to the project scope. This process helps maintain the overall integrity of the project, ensuring it remains aligned with the project objectives and meets the stakeholders' expectations. Controlling scope helps prevent scope creep, which can lead to increased costs, delayed schedules, and potential project failure. Effective scope control also enhances stakeholder satisfaction by ensuring that their needs and requirements are met.

Guide for Control Scope in Scope Management as per PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition

Control Scope refers to the process of monitoring the status of the project and product scope and managing changes to the scope baseline. The key benefits of this process are that it allows the scope baseline to be maintained throughout the project.

Why is Control Scope important?
Control Scope is important because it prevents the project from deviating from planned scope. Without proper control, the project may experience scope creep, which can lead to increased costs and delayed schedules.

What is Control Scope?
It involves monitoring the status of the scope, managing changes to the scope baseline and ensuring that all requested changes and recommended corrective actions are processed through the project's integrated change control procedures. The inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs of control scope process are part of the process.

How does it work?
The Project Manager uses tools such as a Variance Analysis to compare the planned scope against what was actually delivered. If variances are found, corrective actions may be taken. It may also involve updating the project's scope baseline or other components of the project management plan.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Control Scope
To answer questions on Control Scope, focus on understanding the process thoroughly, how to carry it out, and its importance. Remember, strict change control procedures are required for any changes to project or product scope. It's also important to recognize that control scope involves monitoring and controlling the project and the product. The product scope is measured against the product requirements.

Remember the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on integrated change control processes, and any recommended changes or corrective action from the control scope process will have to be reviewed and approved by the change control board.

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PMP - Scope Management Example Questions

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Question 1

The process of _________ the project scope involves managing changes to the scope baseline.

Correct Answer: controlling

The correct answer is 'controlling'.

In project management, controlling the project scope is a crucial process that involves managing changes to the scope baseline. This process ensures that all requested changes and recommended corrective or preventive actions are processed through the integrated change control process.

Controlling scope includes:
1. Monitoring the status of the project and product scope
2. Managing changes to the scope baseline
3. Ensuring all changes are processed through change control
4. Maintaining the integrity of baselines

The other options are incorrect:

'Defining' scope is part of the planning process group and occurs earlier in the project lifecycle. It's about determining and documenting the project and product scope, not managing changes.

'Validating' scope is the process of formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables. While important, it doesn't directly relate to managing scope changes.

'Verifying' scope is not a standard term in project management. It might be confused with 'validate scope', but it's not the correct terminology for managing scope changes.

Question 2

In a software development project, unexpected technical challenges forced the team to change the initial design. What should the project manager do?

Correct Answer: Discuss the issue with stakeholders, understand the impact, and perform scope control

In a software development project, unexpected technical challenges often emerge, necessitating certain changes in the original designs. In such a scenario, the best approach for the project manager would be to 'Discuss the issue with stakeholders, understand the impact, and perform scope control'. This involves understanding the ramifications of the changes, discussing the implications with all key stakeholders, and adjusting the project scope as necessary to accommodate the changesChanging the project scope in an arbitrary manner is not a suitable approach, as it may lead to discrepancies and complications in later stages of the project. Each change in the project scope should be necessary and must be validated by relevant stakeholdersIgnoring the technical challenges is also not a valid option. Technological challenges, no matter how unexpected, need to be resolved to ensure the feasibility and sustainability of the softwareInforming the project sponsor about the challenges and waiting for their decision may seem like a valid answer at first, but it is not the ideal approach. The project manager should have the ability to analyze the issues and propose solutions or adjustments to the project instead of delaying decision-making by waiting for the sponsor's input. However, the sponsor should be kept informed about significant changes and decisions.

Question 3

The process of monitoring the status of the project and product scope and managing changes to the scope baseline is called __________ .

Correct Answer: Control Scope

The correct answer is 'Control Scope'.

Control Scope is the process of monitoring the project and product scope status and managing changes to the scope baseline. This process ensures that all requested changes and recommended corrective or preventive actions are processed through the integrated change control process.

Here's why the other options are incorrect:

'Validate Scope' is the process of formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables. It doesn't involve monitoring or managing changes to the scope.

'Define Scope' is the process of developing a detailed description of the project and product. This occurs earlier in the project lifecycle and doesn't involve ongoing monitoring or change management.

'Collect Requirements' is the process of determining, documenting, and managing stakeholder needs and requirements to meet project objectives. This also occurs earlier in the project and doesn't involve ongoing monitoring of the scope status.

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