Table of Contents

1.0

2.0

Introduction

1.1

Problem Statement

1.2

Aim

1.3

Objectives

Research Body

2.1

Introduction to Scope Management

2.2

Collecting Resources Requirement

2.3

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

2.4

Controlling Scope Creep

2.5

Scope management in Construction Project

11

2.6

Project Failures and Delays in Construction Industry

13

2.7

Minimizing scope creep in Construction Industry

14

3.0

Methodology

15

4.0

Conclusion

16

5.0

Recommendation

16

6.0

Reference

18

Title

Scope Management in Project Management: Can effective project

scope management planning and controlling reduce project delays
and failures in Construction Industry?

1.0

Introduction

The overall subject express about scope management and related key features. This
research aims to reduce project delays and failures providing better scope management
plan and controlling the scope with adequate apportionment of responsibility during
project processing. Project scope management that is complete documentation of work
procedure which necessary to expose within definite time and budget (Monnappa, 2014).
The research will address the below questions:

Why scope management is an important role in project management?

What are the key factors of scope management in order to reduce project
delays and failures?

How can effective scope management enhance project result in

construction industry?
This research is organized with scope management which is one of the key factor in
project management triangle also vital issue in project success and failure. The main
structures are scope planning, controlling and monitoring. This search will describe about
project delays and failures with providing poor scope management and control in
construction industry.
Key Words: Scope Management, Project delays and failures, Scope planning and
controlling.

1|Page

1.1 Problem Statement

Scoping the project is the process by which need to produce the work framework that
have been identified and described in sufficient details to facilitate the implementation of
the project. It gives the project team to understand what needs to be done at the same
time, help the team in establishment of management control systems that can be applied
during the execution of the project. It can affect the result of the project (Fageha, 2014).
Currently, most of the project are started execution with planning the operative scope
and gathering essential properties and following the baseline of scope framework to
reduce project failures. Project managers are experiencing about construction project
time and total construction project failure related to the numbers of reasons but one of
the core key reason is deficient of scope management plan (MDA projects, 2014).
Scope management and controlling is the imperative process to all projects in every
industry and with providing better scope can analyze individual step and necessity
resources of the project. After that maintaining and controlling scope baseline will
execute and it will lead to realize what is in or out of project. Every project is such a
business related issue if so attaining customers approval can be done with analyzing
what is in the project scope plan and during the project operating there will be controlling
and adjusting scope regarding to the project.

2|Page

This research mainly describes about project scope management and effectiveness of its
important features which influence on project delays and failures. The method for
handling the processes of project varies upon different kinds of project management
categories. The researcher suggests that controlling to be balanced in every sides of
project management triangle is mostly depends on managing scope of whole project. As
project scope is overall demonstrated work structure, the relevant performance and
accomplishment of entire project can be measured with the comparison on approved
scope plan.
This way of project controlling prefers to enhance project result. The vital facts of scope
management such as matching with scope baseline upon individual role of job from
project team members and consideration of critical path on project complexity are the
ways to overcome the better result in project processing. Execution of scope
management in construction industries and construction project controlling process are
mainly described articles of this research. Construction project managers, project
management groups, main stakeholders like Board of Directors (BOD) and project team
members are the targeted audiences for this research.

3|Page

1.2 Aim
The researcher aims about fully understanding of key features in scope management.
And also, analyzing and controlling scope management for reducing project delays and
failures.

1.3 Objectives
The main objectives of research are mention as follow:

To realize the importance and usefulness of scope management in project to

control the performance and result of project by achieving the project success.

To analyse the key factors of scope management for providing better scope
management and control to retain project goals as well as customers
satisfactions.

To evaluate better processing measurement system of project relating to

scope baseline and analysis on scope changes to reduce project delays and
failures in construction industries.

4|Page

2.0

Research Body

2.1 Introduction to Scope Management

Scope is the area refers to all the work involved in creating products of projects and
processes used in its creation. It includes necessary procedure to ensure that the project
includes all required business processes, and all equipment required to successfully
complete the project work. (Jainendraukumar, 2015)
The

features of

scope

management

are

to

categorize

main

job

modules,

accomplishments and necessities. And also provide specific appraising time, cost and
essential properties. On the other hand, the scope of a project is easier managing of
evaluation on project performance and components (Gotto, 2013).
Regarding to the above statements, scope can define as brief work flow structure of a
project. If so, the way we generate and control scope is vital issue because of this is
what customers (Stakeholders, companys BODs) can simply recognize on the project
processing.
Figure 1 presents that the overall structure of project scope management which includes
the two main parts of project. Project planning portion involves sectors like collect
requirements such as necessary resources, define scope and Create WBS. In project
monitoring and control portion, verifying scope and controlling scope are the two sectors
that execute to measure the project progress and processing.

5|Page

Figure 1: Features of Project Scope Management (Chandana, 2013)

2.2 Collecting Resources Requirement

Collecting the necessary requirement information means that describing the necessities
of resources in project to achieve the target. Requirements altogether should be
collected at the beginning because it overcomes more cost effective in making changes
while the project processing. Information that evaluating from the project scope plan,
project charter is also core point for gathering resources (Newton, 2015). The
documentation category contains about the requirements related to business, relevant
technology, stakeholders desire, critical solution, quality of product and project
operation. After gathering and getting approval from stakeholders, project manager need
to construct a project charter which is fully description of a project such as risks (critical
path), high level of requirements. (Khan, 2006).
Figure 2 mentions that the process of gathering requirements for the project. Initially, the
desire of main stakeholders must be gathered and these facts will be assessed and
documented by project managers and manage to meet the project objectives as well as
customers satisfaction.

6|Page

Collect
Requirement Process

Stakeholders
desire

Documented

Managed

To meet project
Objectives
Assessed
Obi

Figure 2: Processing of collect requirement (Newton, 2015)

2.3 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

WBS which is one of most essential portion of scope management means the foundation
procedure of project processing, performing and analyzing. In WBS, all the specific job
must be described, assessed, planned and accounted. In addition, the basic need for
achieving the objectives of the technical work that is known as scope baseline also
involve in WBS (U.S Department of Energy, 2003). If so, creating and defining Work
Breakdown Structure (WBS) is the most important part of the task which have to make
by project managers.
In implementing work breakdown structure (WBS) of a construction project, the project
includes not only the construction part and engineering but also include the other parts of
this organization which includes many sections such as real estate, legal, marketing,
planning and engineering. It means that each section has its individual part of
involvement in overall scope of project. (Moustafaev, 2014). Therefore, each kind of work
in different section need to describe properly. Nowadays, there are so many different
roles of work in one project. Human resources are only talented for individual type of
work so that allocating and assigning the resources with WBS is the main step for the
7|Page

project to process better.

1.0

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.2.1

1.3.1

1.4.1

1.2.2

1.3.2

1.4.2

1.2.3

1.5

1.4.3

Sample of work breakdown structure (WBS) (Pinto, 2010)

8|Page

2.4 Controlling Scope Creep

Scope creep is the changing scope to present more additional requirements that is not
contain in the beginning of project plan within the unchanged time border for project
delivery. Without varying any schedule or cost in project, changes in scope can
overcome huge problem to be successful in project (Hussain, 2012).
Scope creep is categorized such as business scope creep and technology scope creep.
Business scope creep is caused due to continuous changes in market trends that are
already specified. Some cases such as IT product invention, client cannot state what
they actually want in the beginning of project. It is also tough in describing for business
users to identify whether they need new features or not when the new product is
accomplished. Scope creep produced in technological issues can be categorized as
customer pleasing which means following along the way to customers need and
technical gold-plating that is over-skilling and creating unnecessary features of the
product (Suresh, 2005).
Scope creep mostly caused by the facts such as lack of checking in resources,
neglecting consumers requirement, undervalue the difficulty of the project, poor
management in controlling changes, adding new values which for gathering consumers
contentment (University Alliance, 2016). Exploring of higher scope creep can effect on
project total cost and targeted deadline schedule.

9|Page

Most projects fail and delay because of cannot effectively control on scope creep. An
example of project failure due to scope creep is FBIs virtual case file project failure. This
project failure caused by 89 percent of over-running cash (over $200M) and happened
between 2001 2005. The project contains three main parts and after running two parts,
management officer found that there is huge over costing of project. It takes 3 years to
accomplish these two parts and the targeted objective still not meet yet after running 4
years. Project is eliminated at this stage when the final step is planning to continue. The
result of failure is due to slip in scope baseline comparing with specific cost and
schedule.
After running project for a couple of years, there is lack of tasks and higher cost to
finalize the project is the sign of scope creep existing in it. This project is assigned as
one of example of scope creep caused by poor management (Strategic PPM, 2010).
According to failure of this project, the insufficient information and communication
required within a project leading to the way to overcome scope creep which can totally
eliminate the running process. In case of failure in this project, project managers need to
consider that whether project scope includes features like rules and regulation of project
if it is related to government organization and evaluating overall back up plans for
rescuing the project to continue in processing.

To minimize the scope creep, firstly need to check out the current scope plan and
analyze whether the scope meets its baseline procedure and specific targeted timeline. If
the project stills within its specific scheduled plan, it still can use as project objective.
And, the status of the project need to be updated continuously because of being the
most core part in tracking the performance of project. When there is a change in scope,
project managers are responsible for reproduce project plan such as reschedule the
scope baseline and need to discuss that among the project team. And, project managers
need to generate required documents for scope changes in progress and describe them
for collecting agreement from stakeholders (Harned, 2014). Scope creep is like a terrible
10 | P a g e

issue for solve and need to control this not smooth enough to project managers. But,
there is many ways for reducing scope creep regarding to the experience and personal
skill of project manager.

2.5 Scope management in Construction Project

Normally, three main factors in a project is budget, schedule and scope. The core subject
for accomplishing project is controlling project scope changes and the way to maintain
these effect of changes such as higher risk on scope creep. Construction projects are
disreputable for over-run cost and deprived communication procedures and insufficient
controls on the management in changing scope. It is important that the project manager
in construction project to take a positive tactic to the approved target (Guerin, 2012).
Therefore, the management on scope control and scope creep is the vital issue for
project manager to be challengeable one.
According to Nahod, M.M. (2012), changes in scope and working procedure in
construction industry are caused by the following facts such as:

Changes request from investors resulted by extra renowned requirements for

project.

Unfinished information of documents in project.

Technology changes resulted by poor technology design obtainability in

marketplace.

Poor availability of construction materials resulted by higher market demand.

Changes request from contractor for getting more profit within suitable
schedule.

Readjustment in project design with different rules.

Regarding to the above statement, project managers in construction industry need to

fully estimate about the availability of resources, main complexity part (critical path) of
entire project and standard quality or design to prevent additional scope changes.
11 | P a g e

12 | P a g e

2.6 Project Failures and Delays in Construction Industry

One of well-known example of project delay in construction is Sydney Opera House
construction project. The construction design is created by architect from Denmark who
won architecture competition made by New South Wales Government in 1957. The
construction project which was initially planned for 4 years and estimated budget about
AUS $7 million. This project actually took 14 years to accomplish and budgeted AUS
$102 million. The main reason of project delay in this construction project was no specific
schedule and baseline. The key stakeholders were architects, structural engineers. They
co-operated each other in constructing the building. Entire project team not included the
role of project manager. This project included three stages and after accomplishing first
stage it was costed in addition of AUS $1.2 million than planning budget. When first
stage was completed in 1963, total cost is AUS $5.2 million and 47 weeks over the
targeted schedule. Another stage was completed in 1967 and overall budget was AUS
$13.2 million. The main stakeholder also the designer of this building quitted from the
project. He didnt leave any documents that concern with project. When he came back
and co-operated, total estimated cost was AUS $85 million. Finally, Sydney Opera House
Construction project accomplished at 1973 after17 years ago from the beginning of
project. This construction is postponed many years to finish and also renowned as one of
the biggest project failure (Martin, 2012). According to the above statement, this project
delay is mainly caused by poor management responsibilities and various changes in
project scope because of redesigning several times. One of the vital facts to realize in
this project failure is that technologist will only emphasize in the improvement of the
appearance of their design and lacking in managing overall progress development leads
to over running and costing projects.

2.7 Minimizing scope creep in Construction Industry

According to Burger, construction project managers responsibility to minimize scope
creep is that fully realization upon projects objective. produce complete instructed
estimation and create effective construction project plan (Burger, 2015).
13 | P a g e

To minimize the scope creep, construction project managers must have to get better
communication among the stakeholders such as designers, contractors and subcontractors. And also, project managers need to provide contract paper with full
information and required documents or resources for achieving clients satisfaction
(Lamont,2013).
Construction projects are mostly fail by lack of management skills upon ingredients
included in whole project scope. Every step of project scope supposed to be within the
period and budget of individual adequate scope baseline for project to be successful.

14 | P a g e

3.0

Methodology

In this research, researcher will describe as objective type of ontology for getting the
definite solution on the way of effectiveness about scope management usage on
projects. Moreover, the positivism method of research philosophy also will use based on
the facts of getting the accurate details upon controlling the scope management in
executing process of project work flow. For the research approach, deductive approach
will execute on this research paper.
Furthermore, the researcher will perform with mixed method which is both qualitative and
quantitative method. The researcher will firstly prepare the list of questions for improving
scope management control due to analyze the viewpoint and attitude of targeted
audiences. As for the primary data collection, the research will prepare for asking
questionnaires to project managers and main stakeholders in construction industries
such as BODs to retain the importance of project scope management. Moreover, the
secondary sources like books, journals, website articles and academic papers will be the
secondary data collection for documentation of the way how scope management better
executing in projects.

4.0

Conclusion

In this research, the researcher mainly describes about the importance and usefulness of
scope management in project processing. Regarding to above literature review,
problems result without following the baseline and ways to control scope changes are
fully discussing as well. By using effective monitor and control of project scope, the result
of project can enhance to better solution.
Scope management is the management of constraints in whole project processing
structure and it is the major reason for its relative contents time and cost. Project failure
and success is mainly decided due to this three parts of project life cycle. Therefore, the
way that project managers create and control scope is most vital issue for whole project
performance and result.
15 | P a g e

5.0

Recommendation

The researcher suggests that projects in construction industries is required to reduce

delays and failures by controlling and monitoring the scope and scope changes which is
the main factors of scope management to achieve the project success. This research
mainly describes upon how the scope management is important in the role of project and
how the scope factors rely on project delay by effecting the project on performance, cost
and schedule. Therefore, the researcher feels that the core element of project is not only
depend on the scope of the project but also need to consider in controlling of project
scope creep.

16 | P a g e

6.0

Reference
Burger, R. (2015) 3 Ways to Prevent Scope Creep During a Construction Project
[online] 24 February 2015. available from < http://blog.capterra.com/preventscope-creep-construction-project/> [30 April 2016]

Chandana. (2013) Project Scope Management Process Groups: PMP

Certification

Training

[online]

27

January

2013.

Available

from

<http://www.simplilearn.com/project-scope-management-article> [22 April 2016]

Fageha, K. M., and Aibinu, A. A. (2014) Prioritising Project Scope Definition

Elements In Public Building Projects Australasian Journal of Construction
Economics

and

Building

[Online]

14

(3),

18-33.

available

from

<

http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=602842335722410;res=IEL
ENG> [28 April 2016]

Gotto, J. (2013) How to define the scope of a project [online] 28 August 2013.
available from <http://www.totallycommunications.com/latest/how-to-define-thescope-of-a-project/> [3 May 2016]

Guerin, M. D. (2012) Project Management in Construction Industry [online]

available

from

<http://projectmgmt.brandeis.edu/downloads/BRU_MSMPP_WP_Mar2012_Const
ruction_Industry.pdf> [12 April 2016]

Harned,

B.

(2014)

Taming

The

Scope

Creep

[online]

available

from

<http://teamgantt.com/guide-to-project-management/taming-scope-creep/>

[23

April 2016]

Hussain, O. (2012) Direct Cost of Scope Creep in Governmental Construction

17 | P a g e

Projects in Qatar Global Journal of Management and Business Research [online]

12 (14). available from <https://globaljournals.org/GJMBR_Volume12/7-DirectCost-of-Scope-Creep-in-Governmental.pdf> [22 April 2016]

Jainendraukumar, D.T. (2015) Project Scope Management in PMBOK make easy

PM

World

[online]

(4).

available

from

<http://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-

content/uploads/2015/04/pmwj33-Apr2015-Jainendrakumar-scope-managementmade-easy-advisory.pdf > [12 April 2016]

Khan, A. (2006) Project Scope Management Cost Engineering [online] 48 (6), 12.
available from <https://brainmass.com/file/225952/Khan.pdf> [21 April 2016]

Lamont, J. P. (2013) Minimizing Scope Creep Keeps Profitability and Reputation

Intact

[online]

25

October

2013.

available

from

<http://www.forconstructionpros.com/article/11203641/minimizing-scope-creepkeeps-profitability-and-reputation-intact> [20 May 2016]

Martin, O. G. C. (2012) The Sidney Opera House construction: A case of project

management

failure

[online]

14

January

2012.

available

from

<http://www.eoi.es/blogs/cristinagarcia-ochoa/2012/01/14/the-sidney-operahouse-construction-a-case-of-project-management-failure/> [17 April, 2016]

MDA projects, (2014) The Essential Nature of Construction Project Scope

Management.

[online]

August

2014.

available

from

<http://mdaconstructionsite.blogspot.sg/2014/08/the-essential-nature-ofconstruction.html> [10 April 2016]

Monnappa, A. (2014) Project Scope Management and Its Importance [online]

available

from

<http://www.simplilearn.com/project-scope-management18 | P a g e

importance-rar89-article> [1 May 2016]

Moustafaev, J. (2015) Project Scope Management: A Practical Guide to

Requirements for Engineering, Product, Construction, IT and Enterprise Projects.
New York: CRC Press

Nahod, M.M. (2012) Scope Control Through Managing Changes in Construction

Projects [online] Research Paper. University of Zagreb. available from
<http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/124696>

Pinto, K.J. (2010) Project Management: Achieving Competitive Advantage. United

States of America: Pearson Education

Strategic PPM. (2010) The Failure of The FBIs Virtual Case File Project [online]
available from <https://strategicppm.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/the-fbis-virtualcase-file-project-and-project-failure/> [22 April 2016]

Suresh, B. (2005) Scope Creep Management [online] Australia: Project Perfect.

available from < http://www.projectperfect.com.au/info_scope_creep_mgmt.php>
[20 April 2016]

University Alliance (2016) Managing Scope Creep in Project Management [online]

available

from

<

http://www.villanovau.com/resources/project-

management/project-management-scope-creep/#.Vx-JfWN7ysN> [5 May 2016]

19 | P a g e

U.S Department of Energy, (2003) Project Management Practice: Work

Breakdown

Structure

[online]

available

from

<http://condor.depaul.edu/dmumaugh/readings/handouts/SE477/WorkBreakdown
Structure.pdf> [11 April 2016]

20 | P a g e