60 Examples of Out Of Scope

John Spacey, updated on March 13, 2024

Out of scope is work that is beyond the current scope of a program, project, initiative, task or activity. These are commonly documented and communicated in order to counter the common tendency for stakeholders to assume or imagine that things will be included in an effort. Documenting out of scope items can also push stakeholders to capture requirements in areas they may be overlooking. The following are common types of out of scope item.

Accessibility Requirements	Architectural Documentation
Audits	Availability Requirements
Business Travel	Capacity Expansion
Client Meetings	Communications
Compatibility	Compliance Measures
Compliance to Brand Style Guide	Consistency of Look and Feel
Currency Support	Customizations
Cybersecurity Measures	Data Backup
Data Migration	Data Source Requirements
Data Validation	Design Documentation
Device Compatibility	Disaster Recovery Features
Documentation	Efficiency Requirements
Features	Functions
Hardware Upgrades	Integration
Interoperability	Legal Reviews
Logging Requirements	Maintainability Requirements
Maintenance	Market Research
Multilingual Support	Non-repudiation
Organizational Changes	Patent Filings
Performance Tuning	Personalization
Planning Phases	Platform Compatibility
Process Changes	Prototypes
Regulatory Changes	Reliability Requirements
Remote Work Solutions	Reports
Response Time Requirements	Scalability Requirements
Session Management Requirements	Software Licenses
Software Maintenance	Software Upgrades
Supplier Audits	Technology Changes
Testing Types	Training
Usability Requirements	User Interface Redesigns

Overview

Out of scope is the practice of unambiguously documenting and communicating things that will not be included in a project, activity or task. This includes functions, features, expenditures, training, operational considerations, qualitative characteristics and usability requirements. Out of scope can also include elements of your planning cycle such as market research or prototypes that will not be conducted or delivered.

Discussion

A project charter or a similar document may specifically list things that are out of scope. This is done to set expectations and document decisions that have been made. When a change is requested that was listed as out of scope in a project charter, the project may require significant analysis and a reset of schedule, cost and contract terms.

Changes to scope may impact the feasibility of a project. As an example, a requirement to make a machine more energy efficient may require different materials and a complete rework of a design starting with a feasibility study. In other words, out of scope changes can effectively derail a project.

It is common for a project to begin with a business case that promises a number of business benefits and a return on investment. Out of scope changes may impact return on investment. For example, it is common for a large number of changes to escalate the cost of a project such that returns are negative. This can result in the perception that a project failed even if the project team delivers to expectations.

Summary: Out Of Scope
Type	Project Scope
Definition	Work that is beyond the current scope of a program, project or initiative.
Related Concepts	Project Scope » Project Charter » Set Expectations » Feasibility » Feasibility Study » Business Case »