How do you set the scope for a construction project?

A project driver is a key factor or objective that motivates the initiation and execution of a project. It is the underlying reason why a project is undertaken and serves as the driving force behind its implementation 1. Market demand 2. Strategic goals 3. Regulatory compliance 4. Technological advancements Cost benefit analysis (CBA) is a systematic approach used to evaluate the economic feasibility of a project or investment. It involves comparing the costs associated with a project to the expected benefits it will generate. CBA is to determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs and if project is financially viable. 1. Identify costs 2. Quantify costs 3. Identify benefits 5. Calculate net present value (NPV) 6. Evaluate the results

In addition, what I found useful is to ask the Client to provide a project brief. This allows you to find out how in-depth they are thinking about the project. Also, it gives an early opportunity to ask the questions that will guide the approach, include critical items and steps and prepare for potential risks.

Project scoping principles are: 1. Project Objectives: Clearly state the project's goals and outcomes. 2. Deliverables: Clearly state what will be produced at the end of the project. 3. Exclusions: Set boundaries- what is NOT part of the project. 4. Constraints: Identify any limitations, whether they are related to budget, time, resources, or regulatory requirements. 5. Milestones: Break the project down into phases or milestones. 6. Responsibilities: Assign responsibilities for different deliverables of the project. 7. Communication:Set communication channel for the team members, stakeholders, and decision-makers. 8. Change Management: Establish a process for handling changes to the scope.

To define the objectives, the problem must be stated and defined well. Then we convert the proplem statement into questions. The objectives are the answers to these questions.

In my experience it is vital to really dig deep into the client’s true needs, resources and wants. Many times what the client says they want is something quite different from what they really need and can do. Also, we must tune all our consulting to the climate and nature crisis. We must primarily look for and suggest solutions that are in accord with circular economy, saving virgin materials, energy, water, nature and that are societally fair. After all, the building sector must lower it’s co2 emissions by 99% in only 25 years time.

To finalize the deliverables and reach an agreement with stakeholders, follow these steps: 1. Review the project scope and objectives: Ensure that you have a clear understanding of the project's goals and requirements. 2. Assess the current status 3. Identify any outstanding tasks 4. Prioritize deliverables 5. Conduct a stakeholder meeting 6. Present the proposed deliverables to the stakeholders 7. Address stakeholder feedback 8. Negotiate and reach an agreement 9. Update the project plan 10. Obtain sign-off for deliverable agreed Remember to communicate openly and transparently throughout the process to ensure a smooth agreement with stakeholders.

Project deliverables are tangible outcomes, results, or products produced during a project's lifecycle. They represent the specific, measurable achievements that fulfill project objectives. Deliverables can include reports, software, prototypes, documents, designs, and more. These are essential for tracking progress, ensuring quality, and meeting stakeholder expectations.

I support getting the Client's approval at this stage as it can demonstrate that the Client is truly onboard with the project objectives. As well as, to ensure their budget aligns with the goals and objectives of the project.

Well Study and Understanding 5 M of Management regarding the Project Machinery Manpower Material Methodologies Money These Things Can help anyone to Defined contract features Defined Project deliverables Defined Project schedule Defined Project management features This can Help to Define Scope for Construction Project

In construction project management, the project scope statement serves as a foundational document that precisely defines the boundaries and parameters of a construction project. It outlines the project's objectives, deliverables, and constraints, providing a comprehensive overview of what will be built, the desired outcomes, and the limitations within which the project will operate. This statement identifies the project's physical components, such as structures and facilities, and clarifies essential details like design specifications, materials to be used, anticipated timeline, and allocated budget.

In my experience, I believe one of the most important aspects of scope management plan is the change management process. If this is not clearly defined and utilized the project will have challenge during execution. Additionally, if the scope is allowed to be changed without proper change management, the project will not achieved it’s stated objectives and there will be cost and schedule overrun. A good change management plan should state how change will be introduced into a project and the approval process to get the change approved or rejected.

Creating the project scope management plan entails devising a comprehensive strategy that delineates how the project's scope will be defined, managed, monitored, and controlled. This plan outlines procedures for gathering and documenting requirements, assessing potential changes, and ensuring alignment with stakeholders. By establishing a systematic approach to scope management, it minimizes the risk of scope creep, facilitates efficient decision-making, and enhances project outcomes by maintaining a well-defined scope throughout the project's duration.

The WBS (Work break down structure) is very important aspect that needs to be well structured and handled by experience construction manager to help in the project scope control.

Validating the project scope involves confirming that the delivered project outputs meet the defined requirements and align with the approved scope. It ensures that the completed work meets stakeholder expectations and addresses the intended needs. This process typically includes thorough inspections, testing, and reviews to verify that the deliverables are complete, accurate, and in compliance with the project's specifications. Validating the project scope is crucial to ensuring quality, customer satisfaction, and the successful completion of the project.

Documenting change requests are extremely critical. This as change requests can make or break your project. There are also implications for future projects and reputational issues. It is recommended that a structured and detailed log of change requests is maintained throughout the life of the project, this will explain budgetary concerns, identify how well the project performed and provide lessons learned for future.

Controlling the project scope involves actively managing and monitoring changes to the project's objectives, deliverables, and requirements. It includes assessing proposed changes for their impact on the project's timeline, budget, and resources, and making informed decisions about whether to approve, reject, or modify them. This process ensures that the project remains on track and within the agreed-upon boundaries. Effective scope control prevents scope creep, which is the unauthorized expansion of project scope, and helps maintain the project's original goals, quality standards, and stakeholder expectations. It involves constant communication, documentation, and decision-making to maintain a clear project scope throughout its lifecycle.

In my consulting experience, project scope creep is very likely seeded in the early pre-project stage of the RFP from the Client and takes root in the proposal itself. Very often, a Client RFP may contain borrowed clauses from other documents which very often is abundantly detailed on execution, experience and budget, but light on critical project details and potential risks. A consultant is expected to be a mind reader if awarded the project. In my opinion, this ambiguity waters and fertilizes the rooting of scope creep in a project when the project team reviews the Project Plan and questions of clarity begin to arise or change is necessary as a in-depth analysis of the project starts. An experienced PM manages this from the beginning.

The detailed project scope that described every individual deliverables will produce a best quality outcomes and will eliminates substandard deliverables. I disagree with a quick and short project scope, under the excuse of urgency of project. It will adversely affect the cost control and change management during the project life cycle. High performance project team to be assigned for performing the work according to the approved project scope.

Construction Managers do well with “lists” that define things. This does not work in the initial stages, which set up the whole project. In most projects where this has been done, my experience found those issues to become big price issues that the client (and CM) then push on the design team for not including. (These items NOT being in the designer’s scope of work …though usually pushed into doing!)

We've done something neet to support the administrative creation of the SOW (at Jet.Build) by incorporating AI to the SOW tool within our bid management solution... It's pretty awesome to create a template/outline with AI to then edit/adjust, ask more questions, simply provide ideas for the SOW... take a look!

First, as proven by the responses so far, CM’s should never determine the the initial scope of a project, as they lack the experience and training. Not a single response used the word “programming”, the initial step in this activity. Most Architects and some “Program Managers” (those who manage both designers and CM/constructors) are best trained and experienced in this initial step. CM’s best know construction related activities associated with a defined scope and can come up with options and alternatives. But it in my experience, they get easily baffled by the concept of identifying all the required functions and how to convert them into cohesive initial forms. I believe that is called programming and conceptual design.