Determine The Scope Of The Project

There are two ways to look at the scope of an international project. One is to consider the dimensions of the project overall and in each country or business unit. The second is to consider the impacts that derive from the dimensions. Here is a list of possible dimensions for you to consider.

Number of locations;
Number of departments involved in the project;
Extent of systems and technology;
Number of processes involved in the project;
Other projects.

These dimensions reflect what is to be done.

Next, we move to the impact factors. These may include:

Cost;
Benefits;
Risk;
Elapsed time for the project.

Obviously, if you change the values for the dimensions, you will change the resulting factors. A bigger project can result in more time and cost as well as increased risk.

What you seek to do is to involve management at both the local and headquarters levels in trade-offs regarding scope. There are a number of benefits and reasons for doing this.

Managers gain a common understanding of the scope at each location or within each business unit.
You are more likely to prevent future scope creep and project change in direction.

In order to carry out the analysis, you can employ a spider chart. Figure 2.4 is one example. Note that there is no precise number for the values on the lines. They are subjective by intent so that you generate a great deal of discussion.

Figure 2.4: Example of a Spider Chart for the Scope of an International Project

This example pertains to improving processes. The solid line chart represents a version of the project with a narrower scope. There is little organization change, for example. The dashed line represents a major reengineering effort and has much more risk, cost, and elapsed time. However, it yields only slightly more benefits. You would generally prefer the solid line version of the project.

Now you will want to draw similar charts for some of the locations or business units. By doing this you will better understand the risks and other factors involved in the scope.

It is sometimes helpful to use trigger thoughts or ideas to generate ideas for versions of the scope. Here you could consider some of the following:

Money is no object for the project. This shows one extreme.
Time is not a problem. This allows you to consider stretching out the project.
Adopt a very narrow view of the project in terms of what will change.
Adopt a comprehensive view of the project in terms of change

Super Business - Project Management Articles

Determine The Scope Of The Project

Determine The Scope Of The Project