Assignment: Locking Scope

In this Assignment, you will focus on locking the scope of the project so that the team is clear regarding the work that has to be done; that is, the boundaries. Given that projects are dynamic, you will learn strategies that can be used to reduce the chances of scope creep. As part of this Assignment, you will use earned value management (EVM) to monitor the health of the project.

Construct a project scope control system based on a decomposed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This Assignment is designed for you to evaluate your ability to plan, execute, and control the scope of the project. You will focus on locking the scope of the project so that the team is clear regarding the work that has to be done; that is, the boundaries. Given that projects are dynamic, you will learn strategies that can be used to reduce the chances of scope creep. When it does happen, however, the project manager must follow the change management process before more work (i.e., scope) is added to the project. As part of this Assignment, you will use earned value management (EVM) to monitor the health of the project. The project scope control system serves the purpose of helping the project team avoid scope creep. The scope is sometimes known as the 100% Rule, which means that only the work packages identified through the work breakdown structure (WBS) process are part of the project. In essence, the scope provides the boundaries of the work to be performed on the project. For this Assignment, provide comprehensive responses to the following items:

(a) Discuss three strategies the project manager can use to prevent scope creep?

(b) What is the purpose of the scope baseline? How can the project manager ensure the performance is meeting the baseline?

(c) What value does the work breakdown structure (WBS) provide the project team when controlling scope?

(d) How does earned value management (EVM) benefit the project team when determining the current health of the projects?

Components

? Title page formatted in APA 6th edition style with the following information: Title of the paper, your name, course number and section number, and date.

? A table of contents using the following headers: Introduction, Strategies to Prevent Scope Creep, Stakeholder Adds More Scope, Value of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Benefit of EVM to Determine Health of Project, Conclusion, and References.

? A minimum of three scholarly journal and textbook source references cited and credited according to APA 6th edition formatting style using a minimum of six in-text citations.

? The paper should be focused and to the point, containing between 600-800 words specific to the table of content items (excluding references).

Locking Scope:

Content Points Possible Points Earned

Three strategies to managing scope creep are discussed.

Purpose of the scope baseline, and making sure project performance aligns with the baseline. 10points The value of the work breakdown structure (WBS) to managing scope is discussed.

The importance of earned value management (EVM) when determining the current health of the projects is examined.

Analysis

Response exhibits strong higher-order critical thinking and analysis (e.g., evaluation). Submission shows original thought.

Analysis includes proper classifications, explanations, comparisons, and inferences.

Critical thinking includes appropriate judgments, conclusions, and assessments based on evaluation and synthesis of information.

Writing

Grammatical skills are strong with typically less than one error per page. Correct use of APA 6th edition.

Appropriate to the Assignment, fresh (interesting to read), accurate, (no far-fetched, unsupported comments), precise (say what you mean), clear introduction and conclusion, and concise (not wordy).

Paper is in 12-point font, and double-spaced with a double space between. Paper is free of serious errors; grammar, punctuation, and spelling help to clarify the meaning by following accepted conventions. At least three scholarly journal and textbook sources are cited and referenced in APA 6th edition format. Content is between 700-900 words specific to the table of content items (excluding references).

Include these References:

Project Management Institute. (2017). A guide to project management body of knowledge (PMBOK Guide) (6th ed.). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

Gido, J., Clements, J., & Baker R. (2018). Successful project management. Cengage Learning.