产品范围vs Project Scope

July 2, 2021
Fahad Usmani, PMP
产品范围and Project Scope

Projects are undertaken to deliver a product, service, or result. It will be difficult to achieve your objective if you don’t understand both the project and product scope. In project management, you will find many important concepts vital to complete your project with minimal obstacles. Among these terms and concepts, project scope and product scope stand out.

Project scope depends entirely on the product scope. You must understand the product scope to define the project scope. These are the most important concepts in project management. I have noticed that many professionals incorrectly use these terms synonymously.

I saw a related question posted in a PMP forum a few days ago. Someone was asking for clarification on the differences between project scope and product scope. There were many replies; however, some were incomplete, and a few of them were wrong. It seemed like the posters were more concerned with supporting their own opinions.

这些答案都没有达到要求的期望,老实说,查询没有得到答复。

这是论坛的主要缺点之一:您无法识别正确的答案。您可能会接受任何适合您已经相信的错误答案。论坛非常适合阅读经验教训和其他故事,但对您的技术问题澄清不利。

So, I decided to write a blog post on project scope and product scope.

在开始讨论之前,请确保我们了解术语产品,项目和范围。

What is a Product?

The PMBOK Guide sixth edition defines a product as an artifact or a quantifiable that can either be an end item in itself or a component item. These items are also called materials or goods.

In other words, a product is defined as a substance or article produced during a natural, chemical, or manufacturing process. You can characterize a product in many ways, such as by its physical properties and chemical properties.

For example, if a computer is the product, its characteristics are its processor, screen size, memory, and hard disk.

What is a Project?

According to the PMBOK Guide, “A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.”

定义的前半部分说该项目的性质是暂时的。这意味着一旦输出输出,your projectwill cease to exist because you’ve achieved the objective.

The second half says that the project produces a deliverable. Projects are undertaken to produce a particular output, which can be tangible or intangible.

什么是范围?

A scope can be defined as the range, detail, or boundary of a term it is attached to. The word scope is not always standalone; it is used as a suffix or a prefix of another term.

If used with the term product, it means the details of the product, or when used with the project, it means the details of the project.

According to the PMBOK Guide, the scope is the sum of the products, services, and results to be provided as a project.

产品范围

In short, product scope is about the product details; what the product will look like, how it will work, its features, and more.

According to the PMBOK Guide, sixth edition, product scope is the features and functions that characterize a product, service, or result.

For example, if the product is a bridge, the product scope might be its length, width, and load strength. If the product is a cell phone, its product scope will be its screen size, battery backup, processor speed, camera type, and memory.

However, for services, the product scope will give you details on the tasks and responsibilities of the person who will deliver.

In the case of a result, the product scope can be the information required from the result.

How to Determine the Product Scope

Most of the time, the product scope is defined by the people who have higher levels of business expertise. Usually, a business analyst defines the product scope, and although the project manager can be consulted, their role is limited.

The business analyst will meet with everystakeholderto understand their expectations and requirements regarding the final product. Once these are finalized, the analyst will get them signed by stakeholders and then process them for approval.

Make sure that none of the requirements are left out during this process, as adding more towards the end of the project can be costly. A slight change in the product scope can cost you a lot more money than an initial change in the project scope statement. The product scope should be well defined because the project scope is defined according to the product scope.

The product scope is what binds you and your organization to the user who will use the product. You should make every effort to get these specifications exact and complete.

However, if you have a contract to deliver the product to the client, you will find the product scope attached to the合同document.

Project Scope

The project scope defines the requirements of the product and the work required to create it. This also defines what is inside and outside of the scope, which helps you avoidscope creep

According to the PMBOK Guide, sixth edition, the project scope is the work performed to deliver a product, service, or result with the specified features and functions.

The project scope statement explains the expected result and along with theconstraints and assumptions。这有助于achieving the product scope. Project scope is also known as scope statement or statement of work.

If you are given a project to construct a bridge, the project scope will provide insight into how to build the bridge. It gives you all the required information. In this case, the project scope defines what exactly you need to construct the bridge. Nothing more.

How to Determine the Project Scope

项目经理定义了项目范围,这取决于许多因素。

For example, if you receive a firm-fixed-price contract, the client will give you a well-defined product description, which helps you in developing the project scope statement. In this case, you won’t have to worry too much about the project scope.

但是,情况并非总是如此。让我们考虑另一种情况。

Your organization initiates a project, and you are the project manager.

In this case, you may have to build the project scope statement from scratch. You contact the concerned stakeholders to collect the requirements and compile them, and then you get them approved by management.

Likewise, there might be several factors that determine the project scope, such as the client asking you to do everything on their behalf.

写得很好的范围声明使项目经理的生活更加舒适,并且该项目将在障碍较少的情况下完成。项目范围是您与客户或您的客户之间的协议组织

Project scope binds you and your project team to your organization; therefore, it should be very lucid and detailed. This document must be completed at an early stage of the project. An effective scope statement is necessary to guide a project to successful completion.

Determining the project scope is the first step in establishing the project’s schedule, budget, and resource allocation. Project management plans are made after the project scope is defined.

我希望现在您了解产品范围和项目范围。

Now it is time to explain these concepts to you with our trademark school building example.

A Real World Example of Project Scope and Product Scope

You get a project to construct a school building. The client gives you their requirements, such as the size of the building, number of rooms, details of the playground, number of toilets, and paint color.

You start working on the project. You estimate the budget, develop the plan, and create a schedule.

After developing and approving the plan, you gather the team and move on to the execution phase. You bring workers to the site and start construction. You complete the school building and then verify with the client whether it is as per their requirements.

Once the client is satisfied, you hand the school building over to them, get the final payment, and the project is closed.

There are two parts to the above example.

In the first part, the client asks you to make a school building and gives you their requirements for it. The school building is the “product,” and the requirements are the “scope.” Therefore, the client gave you is the “product scope.”

在第二部分中,您可以在指定的时间和预算内构建教学建筑,并满足客户的所有要求。最后,您交付了产品。在这一部分中,您为建造教学建筑所做的工作是“项目范围”。

产品范围和项目范围如何监视和控制

The most important tool to monitor the product scope is the requirement traceability matrix. This ensures that all features of the project are produced, thoroughly analyzed, reviewed, and approved throughout theproject life cycle

这也有助于管理变更的产品with theconfiguration management plan

Project scope is monitored and controlled using variance analysis.

The Difference Between Project Scope and Product Scope

These are a few differences between project scope and product scope:

  • Project scope is the work that delivers the product, while the product scope is the sum of all features, functions, and characteristics of the product.
  • Product scope is oriented towards the “what” (functional requirements), while project scope is oriented towards the “how” (work-related).
  • 产品范围是由业务分析师定义的,尽管项目经理可能会发挥作用。项目范围由项目经理完全定义。
  • An example of the project scope is constructing a bridge, while its product scope might be its technical specifications such as length, width, and the amount of load it has to withstand.

Summary

Product scope and project scope are covered in the scope management knowledge area in the PMBOK Guide. The product scope is the end result of the project, and the project scope is how you are going to achieve it. The project is defined according to the product scope. These are fundamental terms, and you must understand them. To complete the project, you must achieve these two scopes successfully. Product scope is the characteristics of the product, and the project scope includes all the work you will do to make the product.

Project scope is discussed in-depth, while product scope is covered briefly as it is not in the scope of the PMP Certification Exam. You will see many questions on your test from this topic, so understand these concepts well.

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How do you manage product scope and project scope in your organization? Please share your experience through the comments section.

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Speak Your Mind

  • Working in defined contract (maintenance) that may seem repetitive. I found that one has to deliver much more on the product scope which is where the emphasis is on, the scope is having to manage the output in such a way that less intimidates the stakeholders. I found that the client is less concerned/involved on the project scope but more on the product scope. Through this i have gotten more insight in being the “real” project manager & informing the client a bit more by pronanly take they lead as they also form the investor & maybe sensitive to hidden costs

  • My question is if, in particoular projects, the project scope and the product scope can coincide or are always different?
    Thanks.

  • If the product is a cell phone, what will be the Product scope and project scope ?

    再一次,范围和范围之外的内容

    • Product scope can be its feature like screen size, memory side, processes and project scope is about how you are going to make it.

  • As fairly new as it is , I trust that considering and adopting follow your guidance properly I guaranteed the acquired based knowledge, my understanding will be clear and meaningful.

    Thanking you so much .

    Regards
    Zanele

  • Wonderful and very informative article. Examples used are too good.
    我一直在阅读您的博客以清除我的疑问。

  • 几年前,我是在LinkedIn的PMP论坛上问这个问题的人。感谢您的解释法哈德。

  • Please tell me the ans of following question
    1. From the stand point of PMBoK, what comes first Product scope or Project scope and why?

  • Is product statement part of project statement or project statement part of product statement?
    还是两者之间没有链接?

    • Statement of work include business need of the project, product scope, and strategic need of the project.

      The project scope statement includes project description, assumptions, constraints, and major deliverables.

  • “The project scope is the work that delivers the product, and the product is the end result of the project.”

    您能给我一些电子商务网站项目范围的例子吗?我真的很困惑。例如:网站ABC具有产品范围:多语言,兑换货币,RSS提要,广告,时尚设计,产品显示令人印象深刻,有效的搜索方法,社交网络连接,保护所有信息,包括所有文档……。

    So what is the project scope here ? All the thing i need to make a website ? I mean , do i have to list all activities that satisfy these feature above ? For example : Integrate currency exchange , integrate social API , develop multiple language functionality , flat design (they require trendy design) . Or i just give project scope in high level such as : hosting website in live environment , develop functions that met requirement , design follow requirement , testing and support UAT , handover to support …. like that .

    Please specify your answer here , i appreciate it a lots. Please help with more examples. .

  • Excellent explanation , i believe project scope and product scope are now in my hands , thank you so much , very good example , i read your example and understand all case . Very admire this information . Thanks again !!!!

  • Can u kindly explain the difference between requirments Vs scope and requirments Vs product or product scope.

    As per your above blog what I understood is :
    Project scope is the work needs to be done to achive the product and product scope is the features n functions of that product.

    Best wishes

    Thanks

  • Hi Fahad,

    谢谢你的解释,更nse now. Reading the example above it is evident that first the product scope should be clear and only then the PM can define the project scope. Once the product scope is clearly defined and we start with project scope or the statement of work (each company has its own defined way to lead it); would I be correct in thinking of the Project Scope to be a combined package of:
    -Project Plan
    – RACI or any equivalent document
    - 预算和估计表
    - 治理结构
    and the methods of creating a project scope can be a all stakeholders meeting (apologies if I am going tangential to the topic) but to make sure that I do it the correct way, I am trying to confirm my statement above and pick your brain at the same time. Thanks again for all the help :)

  • How do we define the difference between

    产品范围验证和项目范围验证?其中哪些过程组得到了验证?

    • Product scope verification will be performed under ‘Validate Scope’ process and ‘Close Project or Phase’ process.

      “验证范围”过程的输出被接受,这是
      ‘Close Project or Phase’ process.

      Output of ‘Close Project or phase’ process is a ‘Final Product’.

      Regarding the Project Scope Verification, it is measured against the Project Management Plan.

  • thanks for the details-
    Questions.1) – why it is important for pmp to learn about products management while exam is about project management?
    Questions.2) – can we have questions on product management in exams?
    Questions.3) – are you refering to PMbok3 or pmbok4?

    • Answer. 1) As a project manager you should know about the product management in brief. Product management is not very important for the PMP exam.
      Answer.2) There is a very less chance that you will see a question about the product management in your PMP exam; however, be prepared.
      Answer.3) I am referring the PMBOK Guide 4th Edition.

      • The object of project management is to produce the product within specified limits of various parameters like scope time,cost , quality etc. leading to satisfaction of the customer (Buyer). In fact product is output of project management . To understand utility, effectiveness it is expected you are aware about what is being produced.

      • Dear Fahad,
        我打算在2015年12月参加PMP考试。因此,我的问题是我可以依靠您的博客文章来清除我的概念。我的意思是,现在考试将来自第五版,而您的博客文章涵盖第四版。让我承认,您的解释使这些概念清晰明了。我真的很喜欢阅读您的博客文章。

        • As per my knowledge, all of my blog posts are aligned with the 5th edition of the PMBOK Guide.

          If you see any blog post not aligned with it, let me know.

          • 先生,第6版呢?尽管我已经看到您还根据第六版编辑了大多数笔记……我正准备参加PMP考试,但是我的模拟分数只有50%,但bob官网竞彩足球我必须得分70+才能清除考试,对吗?您的笔记很bob官网竞彩足球棒,与其他学习材料不同,很容易理解……谢谢您创建此博客。先生,您可以提供一些清理考试的技巧,例如我现在还要出现10 -15天,考虑到我的分数,有机会吗?:(

            • Your score is poor, I would suggest you read the PMP exam reference and the PMBOK thoroughly and then practice some questions.

    • Let’s wait for PMBOK V 5, it is scheduled to be issued until this year’s end, there are some distinct modifications.
      Usually, it is recommended to learn a little bit more in the project management occupation, than the simple standard statements. In this way, project managers should take care that the product management lifecycle is longer and it includes the project management lifecycle during which the project’ related (output) product is conceived and delivered.

      • Right.

        Anyway, PMBOK fifth edition has been arrived.

        Sorry for replying you late, just now I have noticed your comment.

  • Related to the statement under Product Scope heading: “It is the outcome of the project”. ”
    This is very interpretable. Let me cite the PRINCE2 methodology manual “Managing successful projects with PRINCE2” , page 21-22, on the outcome of the project:
    4.2.2 Outputs, outcomes and benefits
    In PRINCE2:
    • A project’s output is any of the project’s specialist products (whether tangible or
    intangible)
    • An outcome is the result of the change derived from using the project’s outputs
    • A benefit is the measurable improvement resulting from an outcome that is perceived as an advantage by one or more stakeholders.

    Example of output, outcome and benefits

    Output: New sales system
    Outcome: Sales orders are processed more
    quickly and accurately
    Benefits: Costs are reduced by 10%, volume
    of sales orders increased by 15% and revenue
    increased by 10% annually.

    Sincerely,

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