---
title: "Preliminary project scope statement"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:preliminary-scope-statement"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/preliminary-scope-statement
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Preliminary project scope statement

ICT Project Management · Chapter 7: Project Integration Management

- Asked in: year not given
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/preliminary-scope-statement
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-7

## Question

How to develop a preliminary project scope statement?

## Short answer

A preliminary scope statement is developed from the charter and statement of work using expert judgment and stakeholder workshops. It defines high-level objectives, deliverables, boundaries, constraints, and assumptions, serving as the foundation for detailed scope planning and the WBS.

## Answer

A **preliminary project scope statement** is a high-level description of the project scope, prepared early (during initiation) from the charter and SOW, before detailed planning. In the PMBOK 3rd edition it was a separate process; later it was merged into charter development and the "Define scope" process. It gives the team a basic understanding of what is to be delivered so that planning can begin.

#### Steps to develop it
1. **Collect inputs**: project charter, statement of work, enterprise environmental factors, organisational process assets.
2. **Use expert judgment and product analysis**: study the product requirements and break them into objectives.
3. **Identify alternatives** (various ways to do the work), using brainstorming and lateral thinking.
4. **Facilitate workshops** with the sponsor, customer and stakeholders to reach agreement.
5. **Write the statement** covering the items below.
6. **Review and approve** by the sponsor and key stakeholders; save it as the base for detailed scope planning.

#### Contents
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Project and product objectives | Measurable goals |
| Product or service requirements and characteristics | High-level |
| Product acceptance criteria | How acceptance is judged |
| Project boundaries | What is in and out of scope |
| Requirements and deliverables | Major deliverables |
| Project constraints | Time, budget, resources |
| Project assumptions | Conditions considered true |
| Initial project organisation | Roles, stakeholders |
| Initial defined risks | High-level |
| Schedule milestones, initial WBS, order of magnitude cost estimate | Early time and cost outline |
| Configuration management and approval requirements | How changes and approvals are handled |

```text
Charter + SOW --> Preliminary scope --> Detailed scope statement
                                         --> WBS
```

#### Importance
It reduces confusion, supports estimating and forms the base for the detailed scope statement, which is progressively elaborated.

**Example:** For a hospital queue system the statement lists "token generation, display boards, SMS alerts" as in scope and "billing integration" as out of scope.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which are inputs for preparing the preliminary scope statement?
   A. Charter, SOW, EEF and OPA
   B. Final audit reports
   C. Closure documents
   D. Payment receipts
   Answer: A. It is prepared from the charter and SOW with EEF and OPA. (Key point: Inputs)

2. What do 'project boundaries' state?
   A. The team's salary limits
   B. What is in and out of scope
   C. The location of the office
   D. Only the deadline
   Answer: B. Boundaries define what is included and excluded from the project. (Key point: Project boundaries)

3. What does the preliminary scope become?
   A. The final audit
   B. A risk register
   C. The base for the detailed scope statement and WBS
   D. The closure report
   Answer: C. It is progressively elaborated into the detailed scope statement. (Key point: Progressive elaboration)

4. Who reviews and approves the statement?
   A. No one
   B. Only competitors
   C. Only vendors
   D. The sponsor and key stakeholders
   Answer: D. Sponsor and key stakeholders approve it as a base for detailed scope planning. (Key point: Approval)

## Related in ICT Project Management

- [Project scope management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-scope-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Project scope versus product scope](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-vs-product-scope) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Project scope control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-scope-control) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Statement of work](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Astatement-of-work) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7

## Related in other subjects

- [Scope of CM and project life cycle phases](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Ascope-lifecycle-phases) — Construction Management, chapter 1, asked 4×
- [Scope of project engineering; dynamic environment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Ascope-project-engineering-dynamic-env) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Problem statement and UML building blocks](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fobject_oriented_analysis_and_design%3Aresult-management-problem-statement-uml-blocks) — Object Oriented Analysis and Design, chapter 2
- [Preliminary estimate: residential, 500 m² carpet](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprelim-est-residential-500) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 3