A project’s scope specifies the work needed to deliver a product, service, or result, given specified features and functions. At its core, scoping a project requires accurately predicting the allocation of resources for a given initiative in a way that forecasts answers to questions about performance, including timeline, cost, and deliverables. Such a skill is highly valued by organizations but is rarely taught formally.

This technical note offers an overview of project scoping, defining related terms and tools such as project charters, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and action plans. It places project scoping in organizational context and discusses drivers and indicators of scope quality, along with potential pitfalls.