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5 - PROJECT SCOPE MANAGEMENT

5.3 Define Scope

According to Section 5.3 of the PMBOK Guide, Define Scope is the process of developing a detailed description
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of project and product. The nature of software and the fact that software development is the result of coordinated
human effort results in a close relationship between process and product scope for both predictive and adaptive life
cycle software projects. Some of the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs for defining the scope of a software
project are the same for predictive and adaptive life cycles and some are different. The similarities and differences
are presented in this section of this Software Extension. 5
The PMBOK Guide states that since all of the requirements identified in Collect Requirements will not be
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included in the product, Define Scope involves choosing the requirements that will be part of the product scope.
For software projects, this issue is commonly dealt with by prioritizing the requirements using criteria that include
the wants and needs of the customer and user communities, and the value added by each requirement. Risks,
assumptions, and constraints are also taken into consideration when defining software project and product scope.

5.3.1 Define Scope: Inputs

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For predictive software projects, the inputs described Section 5.3.1 of the PMBOK Guide and those listed below
are used as inputs to define project and product scope; an attempt is made to initially define the project and product
scope completely, correctly, and consistently, and in detail. For adaptive life cycle software projects, the project and
product scopes are initially defined to the extent possible, at a high level, but the product scope typically evolves
during iterative development. The initial project scope may be adjusted as the product scope emerges.

5.3.1.1 Scope Management Plan

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See Section 5.3.1.1 of the PMBOK Guide.

5.3.1.2 Project Charter

See Section 5.3.1.2 of the PMBOK Guide.
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5.3.1.3 Requirements Documentation

See Section 5.3.1.3 of the PMBOK Guide.
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5.3.1.4 Organizational Process Assets

See Section 5.3.1.4 of the PMBOK Guide.
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©2013 Project Management Institute. Software Extension to the PMBOK Guide Fifth Edition 71
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