013 What does scope cover

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

7 Apr 202102:57

Summary

TLDRThe video script focuses on the concept of project scope and the pivotal role of project managers and sponsors in defining it. It emphasizes the importance of identifying and managing gray areas where the project's boundaries may be unclear. The script also highlights the selection of a project manager, who must assess the feasibility of a project and is entitled to decline unrealistic projects to avoid resource wastage. The video promises to delve into feasibility studies in the next lesson.

Takeaways

🔍 The importance of scope in project management is highlighted, emphasizing the need for project managers to understand and define what is included in the project.
📝 Project sponsors require a clear understanding of the project scope to ensure all necessary elements are considered for the project's goal to be achieved.
🔥 The script introduces the concept of 'gray areas' in project scope, where team members may be uncertain if a particular task or decision falls within the project's boundaries.
🛠️ Decisions such as whether the showroom's heating should be electric or gas are within the project scope, while opinions from the local newspaper are not.
📅 The script raises the question of updating the showroom's details on the company website, indicating that determining who is responsible for such tasks can be part of defining project scope.
👥 The project team is composed of experts from various fields like production, IT, HR, and supply chain, and their expertise is crucial in defining the project scope.
🤝 The project manager and sponsor collaborate to predict potential gray areas and resolve uncertainties regarding the project scope.
🙅‍♂️ The project manager has the right to decline a project if they determine that the goals are unrealistic based on the information provided during initiation.
🏢 The example of a hotel construction project for a World Cup illustrates the project manager's role in assessing feasibility and making decisions that benefit the organization.
📊 Feasibility studies are mentioned as a tool that project sponsors use to assess the realism of a project, which will be discussed in more detail in a subsequent lesson.
👋 The script concludes with an invitation to the next lesson, indicating a series of teachings on project management.

Q & A

What is the role of a project manager in defining the scope of a project?
-A project manager is responsible for seeing the scope of things and going into great detail during the planning stage, ensuring that the project sponsor has a clear idea of everything involved in achieving the project goal.
Why is it important for a project sponsor to understand the scope of a project?
-Understanding the scope is crucial for a project sponsor to have a comprehensive view of what needs to be done, allowing them to make informed decisions and ensure the project meets its objectives.
What is considered to be within the scope of a project when deciding on heating options for a showroom?
-Choosing between electric or gas heating for the showroom is within the project scope as it directly affects the project's implementation and outcome.
Why is the local newspaper writing an opinion piece not part of the project scope?
-The local newspaper's opinion piece is external to the project and does not contribute to the project's direct goals or implementation, thus it is not part of the scope.
Is updating the showroom's details on the company website within the project scope or someone else's responsibility?
-It depends on the project's defined scope. If it is part of the project's communication or marketing strategy, then it is within the project scope; otherwise, it may be someone else's responsibility.
What is a 'gray area' in project management, and how does it affect a project?
-A 'gray area' refers to situations where the team may be unsure if a particular task or decision is part of the project scope. It can disrupt progress if not addressed, requiring clarification from the project sponsor or manager.
How can the expertise of a project team be utilized in defining the project scope?
-The project manager and sponsor can leverage the team's expertise from various departments like production, IT, HR, and supply chain to accurately define the scope and make informed decisions.
Can a project manager decline a project offer from stakeholders, and why?
-Yes, a project manager can decline an offer if they believe the project is unrealistic or unfeasible after scrutinizing the information gathered. This is to avoid wasting resources on a project that will not benefit the organization.
What is the significance of a feasibility study in assessing the realism of a project?
-A feasibility study is crucial for a project sponsor to assess whether a project is realistic by evaluating factors such as budget, time constraints, and the project's alignment with organizational goals.
How does a project manager demonstrate accountability in project management?
-A project manager demonstrates accountability by thoroughly reviewing project information, identifying unrealistic expectations, and making decisions that are in the best interest of the organization, even if it means declining a project.
What is an example of an alternative solution when a project is deemed unfeasible?
-An example given in the script is booking an already built hotel for the duration of a tournament instead of constructing a new one, when the construction timeline is not feasible.

Outlines

00:00

📋 Understanding Project Scope and Team Expertise

The paragraph emphasizes the importance of project scope definition and the role of project managers and sponsors in this process. It explains that project managers excel at detailing the scope during planning but that the sponsor needs a comprehensive understanding of the project's requirements. The paragraph uses examples to illustrate what is considered within scope, such as deciding on heating systems for a showroom, and what is not, like newspaper opinions on showrooms. It also addresses the concept of 'gray areas' where team members may be uncertain about the project's boundaries. The importance of the project team's expertise in defining the scope is highlighted, noting that team members can be sourced from various departments or outsourced. The paragraph also touches on the selection of the project manager, who has the responsibility to assess the project's feasibility and can decline the project if it's deemed unrealistic, as illustrated by the example of a hotel construction project for a World Cup.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Scope

Scope in project management refers to the boundaries of a project, defining what is included and what is not. It is a critical concept because it helps to ensure that the project stays focused and that resources are not wasted on tasks outside the project's objectives. In the script, the scope is discussed in relation to deciding whether certain tasks, like the heating choice for a showroom, are within the project's boundaries.

💡Project Manager

A project manager is an individual responsible for the planning, execution, and closure of a project. They are skilled at understanding and detailing the scope of a project during the planning stage. The script mentions the project manager's role in defining the scope and working with the project sponsor to predict and clarify any gray areas that may arise.

💡Project Sponsor

The project sponsor is typically a senior stakeholder who supports the project and ensures it aligns with the organization's goals. They provide the necessary resources and have the authority to make key decisions. In the script, the project sponsor is depicted as working closely with the project manager and team to understand and define the project's scope.

💡Planning Stage

The planning stage is an initial phase in project management where objectives, scope, and strategies are defined. It sets the foundation for the project's execution. The script emphasizes the importance of the planning stage in detailing the project's scope and predicting potential gray areas.

💡Gray Area

A gray area in project management refers to situations where it is unclear whether a task or decision falls within the project's scope. The script discusses how the project team and sponsor work together to address these ambiguities, such as updating showroom details on a company website, to ensure progress is not disrupted.

💡Stakeholders

Stakeholders are individuals or groups with an interest or involvement in the project's outcome. They can influence or be affected by the project. The script mentions stakeholders choosing a project manager and their importance in the project's success.

💡Feasibility Study

A feasibility study is an evaluation of the practicality of a project, assessing whether the project can be completed successfully within given constraints. The script indicates that the project sponsor uses a feasibility study to assess the realism of a project, such as building a hotel for a World Cup event.

💡Accountability

Accountability in a project context refers to the responsibility and obligation of individuals, such as the project manager, to ensure the project meets its objectives. The script highlights how the project manager's acceptance of a role is contingent upon their assessment of the project's feasibility and their willingness to be accountable.

💡Expertise

Expertise refers to specialized knowledge or skill in a particular area. In the script, the project manager and sponsor utilize the expertise of the project team, which may include professionals from various fields like production, IT, HR, and supply chain, to define the project scope effectively.

💡Initiation

Initiation in project management is the process of starting a project, which includes defining the project's objectives and scope. The script discusses how the project manager scrutinizes the information gathered during initiation to assess the project's feasibility and make informed decisions.

💡Outsourcing

Outsourcing is the practice of engaging external entities to perform tasks or services that could be done in-house. The script mentions that the project manager or sponsor may outsource team members with the necessary expertise to support the project.

Highlights

Project managers excel at understanding and detailing the scope during the planning stage.

Project sponsors require a clear understanding of the project scope to achieve the goal.

Decisions such as heating type in the showroom are within project scope considerations.

External opinions like newspaper pieces are not part of the project scope.

Updating showroom details on the company website may or may not be within the project scope, depending on the project's definition.

Gray areas in project scope can disrupt progress and require clarification from the project sponsor and team.

The project sponsor works with the project team and manager to predict and confirm gray areas in the project scope.

The project team consists of experts from various departments such as production, IT, HR, and supply chain.

Project managers can outsource team members or utilize existing organizational resources.

Stakeholders select a project manager, but the project manager has the right to decline the offer based on feasibility.

Accountability in project management is a significant commitment, influencing a manager's decision to accept or decline a project.

Project managers assess project feasibility and can decline unrealistic projects to prevent resource wastage.

An example of declining a project is provided with the scenario of constructing a hotel for the World Cup in Finland.

Project sponsors assess project realism through feasibility studies, which will be discussed in the next lesson.

The importance of resource allocation and finding alternative solutions when a project is deemed infeasible is highlighted.

Booking an already built hotel as an alternative solution to constructing a new one is suggested in the transcript.