What is the Difference Between Scope and Objective

Scope and objective are two important terms we often hear in project planning. They may sound similar, but they have different purposes. Understanding the difference between scope and objective helps teams stay organized, work more efficiently, and reach their goals successfully.

What is the difference between scope and objective? The scope defines the work and boundaries of a project, while the objective describes the specific goals the project aims to achieve.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Scope 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Objective
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Scope and Objective
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Scope and Objective
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Scope and Objective
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Scope, Objective, Project

What is Scope

In project management, scope refers to everything a project is supposed to achieve and deliver. It outlines the goals, tasks, deadlines, costs, and responsibilities of a project. Basically, it defines what’s included (and what’s not) in the work.

A well-planned project scope makes it easier for everyone to understand their role, manage their workload, and stay on track. This scope is written down in a document called a scope statement or terms of reference. It includes details like the project timeline, budget, team responsibilities, expected results (called deliverables), and how any changes will be handled.

Defining scope involves teamwork. It starts with setting clear goals, gathering input from stakeholders (the people who care about the project), and listing out exactly what needs to be done. It also involves creating a work breakdown structure (WBS), which is a way to divide the project into smaller, manageable parts. The scope should also highlight exclusions and limitations, such as time or budget constraints.

Moreover, scope is not set in stone; there are many things that can change. That’s why a good project scope also includes a change control process so any changes are reviewed and approved properly.

What is an Objective

In project management, an objective is a clear, specific goal that you want to achieve by the end of your project. It’s what you’re working towards. This could be a finished product, improved performance, or something less visible like better team communication or increased customer satisfaction.

Project objectives are measurable and time-bound. That means they should have a clear deadline and a way to check if you’ve actually achieved them. For example, instead of saying “finish the website,” a better objective would be “launch a fully functioning website with five pages by September 30th.” Good project objectives are always short, focused, and realistic.

Objectives help everyone on the team understand what success looks like. They guide decisions, keep everyone focused, and allow you to check your progress during and after the project. Without objectives, it’s hard to track how well things are going or explain what the project is really trying to do.

Similarities Between Scope and Objective

1. Both are essential parts of project planning
2. They are usually set at the beginning to shape how the project will move forward.
3. Scope and objectives help the team understand what they need to do and why they’re doing it.

Difference Between Scope and Objective

Definition

• Scope defines what the project will include and exclude, and outlines the boundaries, tasks, deliverables, and work involved. Objective, on the other hand, defines what the project aims to achieve, and the specific result or outcome you want by the end of the project.

Purpose

• Scope helps the team understand what work needs to be done and keeps the project from going off track, whereas objective helps the team stay focused on the goal and measures whether the project is successful.

Focus

• Scope focuses on the “how,” i.e., how you will complete the work, what steps and limits are involved. Meanwhile, objective focuses on the “what,” i.e., what the end goal is, and what success looks like.

Components

• Scope includes tasks, deliverables, timelines, exclusions, and roles, while an objective includes specific targets like increasing sales, launching a product, or reducing costs.

Measurement

• Scope is tracked by managing tasks and deliverables, while objectives are measured by KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) or other success metrics.

Example

• An example of a scope is building a mobile app with five features, completed in 8 weeks, with a $10,000 budget, whereas an example of an objective is increasing customer engagement by 25% within 3 months after launch.

FAQ: Scope and Objective

1. How do you write a scope and objective?

To write a scope, you have to clearly explain what the project will include and what it won’t. Mention the tasks, limits, and who will do what. To write an objective, focus on what the project should achieve. Make sure it’s specific, measurable, and can be done within a set time.

2. What comes first, scope or objective?

The objective comes first. It tells you what you want to achieve. Then comes the scope, which explains how you will achieve it and what the project will include or leave out.

3. What is an example of scope?

An example of scope is as follows:
“This project will design and build a new company website with five pages, including a home page, about us, services, contact form, and blog, to be completed in three months.”

4. What is a project objective?

A project objective is a clear, specific goal that a project aims to achieve. It tells you what the project should deliver and when, like “launch a new app by December” or “increase website traffic by 20% in three months.”

5. How to define scope?

To define scope, clearly describe what the project will include and what it won’t. List the main goals, tasks, timeline, budget, and the final result you want to achieve.

Reference:

1. “Project scope — definition, best practices, examples, and more.” Adobe Scope.

2. “Understanding project objectives in project management.” Atlassian.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Project-scope-statement” By pmexamsmartno (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr

2. “Objectives” By فرهنگ خردمند – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia