Manage Scope by Assessing Ownership

When project ideas flow freely, managing scope can challenging. One sure way to manage scope is to assess ownership. Unless the identified owner is appropriate, that element shouldn’t be part of your project. An owner is appropriate when:

They can provide funding. An appropriate owner will fund the development of their scope item. In addition, they can increase the funding (within business case parameters) if the cost of delivering the scope increases.  If the identified owner must go elsewhere to obtain or release funds, they aren’t an appropriate owner.

They can provide resources. Appropriate owners provide capable resources for requirements, verification, and implementation of scope items. Providing new or lower-level resources could indicate a lack of dedicated ownership. Delays in getting resources could indicate that other scope items have higher priority, in which case you should evaluate whether the scope element should really be out of scope.

They can make decisions. Scope item owners can make decisions regarding how the scope will be built and implemented. While others may be involved in decision making, an appropriate owner is the final arbiter.  In instances where scope decisions affect others, the appropriate owner has the means to consult with and influence others regarding the scope element (to resolve potential stakeholder conflicts).

They defend the business need. Project constraints can require scope prioritization. An appropriate owner can articulate and defend the business need for their scope items. As the project progresses, they make themselves available to discuss required changes, and assess the impacts of those changes to their business.

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