Process: Validate Scope
Process Group: Monitoring and Controlling
Knowledge Area: Project Scope Management
Purpose
The Validate Scope process involves formally reviewing completed project deliverables with stakeholders to confirm they meet the documented scope and are acceptable. This process results in the formal acceptance or rejection of deliverables, helping to ensure the project stays aligned with stakeholder expectations.
Inputs
- Project Management Plan – Especially the scope management plan and scope baseline (including WBS, scope statement, and WBS dictionary).
- Project Documents – Includes the requirements documentation and traceability matrix.
- Verified Deliverables – Outputs that have passed quality control inspections.
- Work Performance Data – Information on task status and deliverable completion.
Tools and Techniques
- Inspection – The primary technique, involving reviews, audits, walkthroughs, and testing with stakeholders.
- Decision Making – Includes voting or other group techniques to formally approve or reject deliverables.
Outputs
- Accepted Deliverables – Deliverables that meet the requirements and are formally approved by the customer or sponsor.
- Work Performance Information – Data about which deliverables have been accepted or rejected and why.
- Change Requests – If deliverables are rejected or incomplete, change requests may be initiated to correct them.
- Project Document Updates – Updates to the requirements documentation, lessons learned register, and requirements traceability matrix.
Role in the Process Group and Knowledge Area
- As part of the Monitoring and Controlling Process Group, Validate Scope provides a formal mechanism for deliverable acceptance.
- Within Project Scope Management, it ensures that deliverables meet agreed-upon requirements and that stakeholder approval is documented.
Why It Matters
- Confirms Stakeholder Satisfaction – Secures formal sign-off on completed work.
- Supports Transparency – Makes acceptance or rejection traceable and auditable.
- Triggers Change Control When Needed – Rejected deliverables feed directly into corrective action and rework planning.
- Prevents Future Disputes – Establishes an official record of deliverable acceptance.