Scope Control

5 minutes 5 Questions

Scope Control is the process of monitoring and managing any changes to the project's scope throughout the project lifecycle. This includes identifying the potential impact of scope changes, evaluating proposed changes, managing the approval process, and ensuring that any approved changes are effect…

Complete Guide to Scope Control According to PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition

What is Scope Control?
Scope Control, according to the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition, is a process aimed at monitoring the status of the project and product scope along with handling changes to the scope baseline. It's a core part of scope management.

Why is it important?
Scope Control is significant because it helps to ensure that the project includes only the work necessary to complete the project successfully; any more or less can lead to project failure. It assists in preventing 'scope creep' or uncontrolled changes.

How does it work?
Scope Control works through ongoing comparison of actual work against the planned scope, and enables any necessary corrective actions to be taken if a change is detected. This control mechanism includes 'Preventive Action,' 'Corrective Action,' and 'Defect Repair.'

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Scope Control
1. Always read the question carefully: Understanding what exactly is being asked is crucial.
2. Understand the perspective of the question: Some questions test your understanding of the processes and others may require applying the processes to real scenarios.
3. Know key terms: Be sure you are familiar with key terms related to scope control such as scope creep, baseline, and corrective action.
4. Practice questions: Take advantage of practice exam questions. They will not only test your knowledge, but also help you get used to the exam format.

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PMP - Scope Control Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Scope Control

Question 1

During a software development project for a logistics company, the project manager discovers that the team has been working on a mobile app feature that was not part of the original project scope. This feature would allow drivers to track their routes in real-time, but it requires integrating with a third-party GPS service, which would incur additional costs and potentially impact the project schedule. However, the team lead believes this feature would provide significant value to the end-users. What should the project manager do to effectively manage this scope change while considering the project constraints and stakeholder expectations?

Inform the team lead that the feature cannot be included as it was not part of the original scope, and instruct the team to focus solely on the agreed-upon deliverables to avoid further deviations. Escalate the issue to the project sponsor and ask for their unilateral decision on whether to include the feature, emphasizing the potential benefits and risks associated with the scope change, and defer any further action until receiving their guidance. Document the scope change request, assess its impact on project objectives, and present the findings to the change control board for a decision on whether to approve, defer, or reject the change. Allow the team to continue developing the feature and integrate it into the final product, as the added value to end-users justifies the potential schedule and cost impacts, and the change can be managed within the project's contingency reserves.

Correct Answer: Document the scope change request, assess its impact on project objectives, and present the findings to the change control board for a decision on whether to approve, defer, or reject the change.

The best approach is to document the scope change request, assess its impact on project objectives, and present the findings to the change control board for a decision. This allows for a structured and transparent process to evaluate the change, considering its potential benefits, costs, and risks, while involving the appropriate stakeholders in the decision-making process. The other options are less suitable because: - Simply rejecting the change without proper evaluation may miss out on potential benefits and could demotivate the team. - Allowing the change without assessing its impact and obtaining approval could lead to uncontrolled scope creep and jeopardize the project's success. - Escalating the decision to the sponsor without first conducting a thorough impact analysis and providing a recommendation shifts the responsibility away from the project manager and may not result in the most informed decision.

Question 2

You are managing a large-scale software development project for a financial institution. During the execution phase, the development team discovers a new security vulnerability that was not accounted for in the original project scope. Addressing this vulnerability would require additional time and resources, potentially impacting the project timeline and budget. The team lead argues that fixing this vulnerability is crucial for the system's integrity. How should you proceed to maintain effective scope control while ensuring the project delivers a secure product?

Assess the impact of the security fix, document the change request, and present it to the change control board for approval before implementation. Document the security vulnerability in the risk register, continue with the original project scope, and recommend addressing the issue in a separate project or maintenance phase to avoid scope creep and maintain the current timeline and budget. Implement the security fix right away, as system integrity is paramount in financial software, and adjust the project timeline and budget accordingly. Consult with the project sponsor to determine if the security fix should be included in the current project scope or addressed in a future update, then proceed based on their decision.

Correct Answer: Assess the impact of the security fix, document the change request, and present it to the change control board for approval before implementation.

The best approach in this scenario is to assess the impact of the security fix, document the change request, and present it to the change control board for approval before implementation. This method aligns with proper project management practices, particularly in scope control and change management. This approach ensures that: 1. The potential impact on timeline and budget is thoroughly evaluated. 2. The change is formally documented, maintaining project integrity. 3. The change control board can make an informed decision, considering all aspects of the project. 4. If approved, the change can be integrated into the project plan systematically. The other options are less appropriate: Implementing the security fix immediately would bypass proper change control procedures, potentially causing more significant issues in project management and stakeholder expectations. Consulting only the project sponsor may not provide a comprehensive view of the impact and may bypass established change control processes. Simply documenting the vulnerability and addressing it in a future project could expose the financial institution to unnecessary risk, given the critical nature of security in financial software. By following the correct process of assessment, documentation, and approval through the change control board, the project manager maintains effective scope control while also addressing the crucial security concern in a structured manner.

Question 3

During the execution phase of a construction project, the project manager notices an unintended discrepancy between the project scope baseline and the actual work being performed on-site. The project scope was meticulously defined during the planning phase with explicit details and was approved by all key stakeholders. However, a recent change in local regulations necessitates a modification to part of the construction material, which was not previously anticipated. This change has not yet been formally communicated to the project team but has started to be implemented by the construction crew based on informal discussions. The project manager needs to ensure that the project scope is controlled and realigned with the new requirements while minimizing disruptions and maintaining stakeholder satisfaction. How should the project manager proceed in this situation to effectively control the project scope?

Formalize the change by documenting it, seeking approval from necessary stakeholders, and updating the scope baseline to reflect the change. Hold off any further construction activities until a formal change request is initiated, reviewed, and approved by the project governance body. Informally agree to the change, relying on verbal consensus among stakeholders without updating official project documentation or scope baseline. Continue the work based on the construction crew's judgement while waiting for formal documentation and approval of the change.

Correct Answer: Formalize the change by documenting it, seeking approval from necessary stakeholders, and updating the scope baseline to reflect the change.

The best approach is to formalize the change by documenting it, seeking approval from necessary stakeholders, and updating the scope baseline to reflect the change. This ensures that the change is properly communicated, reviewed, and agreed upon by all relevant parties. It also maintains the integrity of the project scope and keeps all stakeholders aligned on the updated requirements. Continuing work based on informal discussions or relying on verbal consensus without updating project documentation can lead to scope creep, miscommunication, and potential disputes later in the project. Holding off all construction activities until formal approval may cause unnecessary delays and disruptions. It's important to proactively manage the change while minimizing the impact on project progress. By following a formal change control process, the project manager can effectively realign the project scope with the new regulatory requirements, ensure stakeholder buy-in, and maintain control over the project's execution.

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