Of course, I just need to pick up a couple of things, but the list that I carefully pulled together, well it’s been left back at home on the kitchen bench.

‍

And, now that I’m here, I’m overwhelmed with a grand sense of possibility. Particularly as I gaze down the power tools aisle.

‍

So, instead of buying what was on the list, I walk out with over $500 worth of bits and bobs that I may use on DIY projects that I might do at a weekend sometime in the future.

‍

No trip to Bunnings would be complete without showing my support for the local sporting team. As I’m walking back to the car, I buy not just one but two sausage sandwiches! You know, because I’m a great guy!

‍

This experience (literally every time I go to Bunnings!) is what we consultants would professionally call “scope creep”.

‍

Most people would already know or have seen the most quoted statistic in project management - that a whopping 70% of all projects fail.

‍

However, over 1 in 3 projects fail because there is a lack of clear goals.

‍

Defining your scope at the outset of your project is one of the most important ways to ensure its success.  

‍

I would recommend the following five steps:

‍

1. What you are delivering – what are the project's objectives,

‍

2. What success looks like – in other words, what is the definition of done,

‍

3. What is excluded from scope – the cordless drill sure looks great but is it really essential for this project?

‍

4. What are the constraints – usually time, money, and resources

‍

AND then the most important step

‍

5. Break down the tasks and activities needed to deliver the project’s objective.  And then break it down again.

‍

Once you have the above drafted, spend the time with your key stakeholders to get their buy-in before you finalise your project scope. This is more than just an opportunity to get their commitment but also allows space to retest the scope and make any necessary adjustments before the scope statement is shared across the teams and the workplan is put into action.

‍

For larger programmes of work or for where there are multiple stakeholders, it is inevitable that the scope will need to change. But you want to be aware of any new requirements, be in control of that review process, and own any change decisions that are made.

‍

Walking into Bunnings on the weekend without a plan – that could cost you a few hundred dollars. Executing a multi-year, complex work programme without a project scope, that could cost not only hundreds of thousands of dollars but could also affect the overall success of the programme.

‍

That’s why it is imperative to commit to spending the time up front to create a project scope statement and granular work plan that clearly articulates what needs to be done before starting any new project.

‍

Because the more you can define those individual requirements, the easier it will be to identify the tasks that creep in that were never part of the original plan.

‍

And it will also make those huge, complex projects much easier to control and to successfully deliver.

‍
===

Mavin Advisory Group is a specialist investment and wealth management consulting firm that provides tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of its clients. Founded by industry experts with a deep understanding of the evolving financial landscape, Mavin delivers compelling insights and innovative solutions to help clients achieve their strategic goals.