Project Objective: The overall objective to meet the customers needs.
This should at least answer the
following :
What
When
Where
How much
Example: Build a shopping complex in Springfield, MO not to exceed $5 million within 18 months to
include a minimum of 10,000 sq. feet of shopping space.
Project Scope: A detailed description of the various aspects of the project including the specific product,
service, or outcome. Describes the end result that is wanted.
If the project is a computer, the scope would detail the screen size, memory, speed, data ports, etc. The
scope may become progressively detailed as we proceed through the project.
Deliverables: What the project produces. These might include engineering drawings, a facility layout
drawing, a marketing plan, a website, a certain number of trained employees, a task list, etc. In later
phases of the project it could include testing the final product and the final product itself.
Milestones: Significant events or achievements in the project that occur at a point in time. Milestones
represent the first rough estimates of time, costs, and resources. Milestones typically identify only
major segments of work. For example: marketing plan completed by June 1st, employees trained by
August 15, Product testing complete by July 1, etc. We can use the deliverables to identify major
segments of work and expected times.
Acceptance Criteria: The set of conditions that must be met before deliverables are accepted.
Examples: all tasks and milestones complete, operating inspection passed, sales revenue met for
specified time, third party certification met, etc.
Constraints: Limiting factors within which the project must operate. They can limit cost, time, schedule,
budget, resources, etc. for the project. Examples: The project must be completed by July 31 st, a
maximum of $5,000 is allowed for training, etc.
Reference: Project Management the Managerial Process, 8th ed., Erik W. Larson and Clifford F. Gray,
McGraw-Hill, 2021.
