Scope Management Using Project Definition Rating Index

TLDR

Poor scope definition is a leading cause of project failure in U.S. construction, yet many firms consider it economically infeasible or are unaware of the necessary requirements. The study introduces the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) to improve early scope definition and examines its implications for project scope management. The PDRI is an easy‑to‑use weighted checklist of 70 scope‑definition elements that measures and manages scope definition throughout project planning.

Abstract

It is widely accepted that poor scope definition is one of the leading causes of project failure in the U.S. construction industry. Many owner and contractor companies understand this, however, they share the misconception that it is not economically feasible to spend the time or money necessary to adequately define the scope of work early in a project's life cycle. In other cases project participants are ignorant about the requirements for an adequately defined scope of work. A tool called the project definition rating index (PDRI) was created to address these problems. The PDRI is an easy-to-use, weighted checklist of 70 scope definition elements allowing the user to measure and manage the level of scope definition as project planning progresses. Results from 40 pilot projects will be presented showing that a specific PDRI point threshold provides some measure of confidence in project outcome. The implications of this tool in the project scope management process will be explored. Conclusions and recommendations about the PDRI will be made for project management professionals.