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Scope Planning, WBS and Gold Plating: PMP in Simple English
Collect requirements, define scope, break it into a WBS; scope statement + WBS + WBS dictionary = scope baseline.
In simple words
Write down exactly what the project will deliver, and what it won't. Then break the work into smaller and smaller pieces until each piece can be estimated. If it's not in that breakdown (the WBS), it's not in the project.
What the PMP exam wants
In predictive projects, the PM collects requirements from stakeholders (interviews, workshops, prototypes), writes a scope statement (deliverables, exclusions, acceptance criteria), and decomposes the work into a work breakdown structure (WBS). The lowest level is the work package. Work not in the WBS is not in the project.
The scope baseline is the approved scope statement, WBS and WBS dictionary. In agile, the product backlog plays a similar role but evolves; in hybrid, the high-level scope may be baselined while details live in the backlog.
Real example
A cell's WBS: mechanical design, electrical design, controls programming, fabrication, assembly, FAT, shipping, installation, SAT, training, documentation. Each is broken down until it can be estimated and assigned.
The common trap
Exclusions matter: if an item is not in the scope statement, adding it is a change. Gold plating (adding extras nobody asked for) is wrong, even if the customer might like it.
Remember: WBS = 100% of the work, broken into pieces you can estimate.
🗝 Words to notice in the question
“customer did not request it” → gold plating. “not in the WBS” → not in scope
Try 2 practice questions
Choose an answer, or open “Show the answer.”
Question 1 The team adds a feature the customer did not request because they think the customer will like it. This is:
Show the answer
Answer: B. Unrequested work adds cost and risk; it's gold plating.
Question 2 What makes up the scope baseline?
Show the answer
Answer: B. These three approved items form the scope baseline.
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