Key Project Management Terms & Definitions

Concise yet insightful!

𝗣𝗠 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀: Scope Creep, Gold Plating, Change Control, Requirements Management, Scope Baseline.
𝗜𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀?
Understanding key project management terms can be the difference between success and failure. If you're battling with Scope Creep, wrestling with Gold Plating, or struggling with Change Control, you’re not alone. These challenges affect even the most experienced project managers—but there are solutions!

Let’s break them down and get you back on track:

✅ 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽:

-Example: A client asks for more floors midway through a commercial build. Without adjusting the budget, this leads to delays and cost overruns.

-Solution: A robust Change Control Process is crucial. All client requests should go through formal documentation and approval before any work begins. In construction, project managers can use tools like MS Project or Primavera to track these changes and assess their impact on timelines and budgets.

✅𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:

-Example: Installing high-end finishes without approval during a housing project may seem helpful but results in budget overruns.

-Solution: Stick to the Scope Baseline. Avoid making any additional improvements that haven’t been requested or approved. Use change request forms for any suggested upgrades, making sure all parties are aligned on budget and timelines.

✅𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹:

-Example: Environmental regulation changes during a bridge project lead to material swaps without evaluating the cost, causing delays.

-Solution: Set up a Change Control Board to review all changes and prevent unnecessary disruptions.

✅𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:

-Example: A client requests smart home wiring late in a residential build, leading to rework and extra costs.

-Solution: Use Requirements Management Software to track and update all requirements. Tools like Buildertrend can be used to manage evolving requirements in real-time, ensuring that the team is always aligned with the client’s needs.

✅𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲:

-Example: Adding retail space mid-construction without updating the baseline causes confusion and rework on a shopping mall project.

-Solution: Use Primavera P6 or MS Project and regularly update the Scope Baseline to keep the team aligned on approved changes.