HKSM

A section of the overall project or program management plan that explains how project scope will be determined, elaborated, tracked, controlled, and formally accepted.

Key Points

• Defines how requirements are gathered, the scope statement and WBS are developed, and the scope baseline is set.
• Specifies roles and authority for scope decisions, including who approves scope changes.
• Details how scope performance is measured and reported, with variance thresholds and acceptance criteria.
• Outlines the process for requesting, evaluating, approving, and implementing scope changes and for verifying deliverables.

Example

On a website redesign project, the scope management plan states that requirements workshops will produce the scope statement and WBS, any new feature requests must go through change control with impact analysis on cost and schedule, and each completed page will be inspected against acceptance criteria before sponsor sign-off.

PMP Example Question

Which document guides the team on how to define the scope, handle scope changes, monitor scope performance, and accept completed deliverables?

1. Scope Management Plan
2. Scope Baseline
3. Project Charter
4. WBS Dictionary

Correct Answer: A — Scope Management Plan

Explanation: The scope management plan describes the processes for defining, controlling, monitoring, and validating scope. The scope baseline is the approved scope (scope statement, WBS, and WBS dictionary), not the process for managing it.