These two terms are very common in project management: product and project. They are also important in scope management, as they define the scope of the project and the product. Online PMP training courses provide detailed information about these terms. Let’s now explore their roles in PMP scope control. What is the difference between product scope and project scope? How does the product scope differ to project scope? Let’s start by describing the product, then we will move on to the details of the product and project scope.
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What is Project? What is Product?
The PMP certification courses define a project as “a temporary endeavor with an beginning and an ending that creates a unique product or service or result”. This is how PMBOK defines a project. One example of a project is the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, which began in 1933 and ended 37 years later. The bridge was built once and is not something that can be repeated. It is a unique product.
Let’s now look at what product is. The product life cycle starts with the creation of a new product, and ends with its removal. Multiple projects may be required during the product lifecycle. iPhone, for example, is a product. Is Apple still producing the older versions of iPhone? No. No.
Now that we have defined these concepts, let’s talk about the scope of project and product.
What are the Definitions for Product Scope and Project Scope?
Scope of the Product:
Product Scope is a description of the requirements for the product. Consider an e-commerce website that supports 1 million members, sends vouchers to inactive members, supports 1,000 members concurrently, and enables secure transactions. These are just a few examples of requirements that fall within product scope.
Product scope is a way to answer the question “which end result are you looking for?” Product scope is the description of the features of the final deliverables of a project.
Project Scope:
The project scope is different from the product scope. The project scope is the work required to deliver the product scope or product. To deliver an e-commerce shopping site, you must manage scope, cost, and other activities. Project scope includes all of the activities required to deliver the final results of the project.
Real Life Example of Product Scope & Project Scope
Let’s talk about Product and Project Scope in a project to build a train station. The project involves building a new station.
Product Scope will deliver a new train station with 4 railways and support the traffic of 3,000 passengers daily. There will also be 2 waiting lounges. These are all features that will be available at the station when the construction project is completed.
The scope of the project includes all work required to build a new station. Project scope includes the procurement of materials, acquiring construction workers and controlling project budget, planning schedule, and many other project management activities.
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