What is the primary objective in establishing project scope?

The primary objective in establishing project scope is to identify and address project needs. This involves clearly defining what the project is intended to achieve, outlining the specific goals, deliverables, and outcomes. A well-defined project scope ensures that all stakeholders have a common understanding of what the project entails and what is required to complete it successfully. This allows for proper planning, resource allocation, and setting of expectations, which ultimately leads to a greater likelihood of project success.

In the context of project management, addressing needs means not only recognizing the goals but also understanding the requirements and constraints, which are essential for guiding all aspects of the project. By focusing on project needs, the project scope can effectively align with stakeholder expectations and organizational objectives, ensuring that the project delivers value. This foundational step in project planning sets the stage for establishing the budget, timeline, and roles later on, although those elements are not the primary focus of defining scope.