Glossary of Terms

This glossary contains definitions used by the Project Change Frame^® and other methodologies supported by Lindsay McKenna Limited.

A number of definitions are taken from the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK®) from the Project Managment Institute. These are denoted by having (PMI) at the end of the definition..

S-Curve

A graphic display of cumulative costs, labour hours, percentage of work, plotted against time. The name derives from the S-like curve of a project that starts slowly, accelerates and then tails off. Also a term for the cumulative likelihood distribution that is a result of simulation. (PMI)

Scatter Diagram

Method of indicating whether an association exists between two items.

Schedule Performance Index (SPI)

The schedule efficiency ratio of earned value accomplished against the planned value. The SPI describes what portion of the planned schedule was actually accomplished.
SPI = EV /  PV. (PMI)

Schedule Variance (SV)

1. Any difference between the scheduled completion of an activity and the actual completion of the activity. (PMI)
2. In earned value, SV = EV - 
   also expressed as SV = EV - PV. (PMI)

Scheduled Finish Date (SF)

The point in time work was scheduled to finish on an activity. The scheduled finish date is normally within the range dates delimited by the early finish date and the late finish date. It may reflect leveling or scarce resources. (PMI)

Scheduled Start Date (SS)

The point in time work was scheduled to start on an activity. The scheduled start date is normally within the range dates delimited by the early start date and the late start date. It may reflect leveling or scarce resources. (PMI)

Scope

What the project will cover (In Scope) and what it will not cover (Out of Scope).
In Scope sets the boundaries within which a project will operate, and helps to define the areas of the Business that the Project will impact and that the Project Team can consider for change.
Out of scope defines the areas of the Business which the Project is neither responsible for, nor permitted or resourced to deal with.

Scope Change

Any change in the project scope. (PMI)

Scope Creep

A phenomenon whereby the original scope of the project slowly widens, resulting in a much larger project than originally intended.

Scope Control

Controlling changes to the project scope. (PMI)

Scope Definition

Decomposing the major deliverables into smaller, more manageable components to provide better control. (PMI)

Scope Management Plan

A plan which describes how project scope will be managed and how scope change will be integrated into the project. Includes assessment of how likely and frequently the project scope may change. (PMI)

Scope Planning

Developing a written scope statement that includes the project justification, the major deliverables and the project objectives. (PMI)

Scope Statement

A documented description of the project as to its output, approach, and content. (What is being produced? How is it being produced? and What is included?) (PMI)

Scope Verification

Process of verifying that all identified project deliverables have been completed correctly and satisfactorily and obtaining formal acceptance of the project scope from the stakeholders. (PMI)

SD

See Standard Deviation.

SF

See Scheduled Finish Date.

Six Sigma

A methodology designed to improve processes by eliminating defects. The Project-Change Frame is complimentary to this methodology.

Slack

See Float.

Solution Criteria

Serve to identify what criteria a solution has to satisfy before it can be considered as viable to pursue.

Solution Effect Analysis

A technique for identifying the likely effects of a proposed solution before it is implemented. See also Cause and Effect Analysis.

SOW

See Statement of Work.

Specification

A description of each procurement item, in sufficient detail to allow the Suppliers to determine if they are capable of providing the item, and to produce cost estimates.
Also known as a Statement of Work.

SPI

See Schedule Performance Index.

Sponsor

The person accountable to the Business for the achievement of the Project Goal and benefits. The Sponsor achieves these through the Project Leader and Project Team.

Sponsor Review

Review undertaken by the Sponsor to check the fitness of the Project. There are 7 formal Sponsor Reviews in the Project-Change Frame^®.

SS

See Scheduled Start Date.

Stakeholder

1. A person or group of people who have a vested interest in the success of an organisation and the environment in which the organisation operates. (PMI)
2. Individual or organisation that is involved in or may be affected by the project activities. (PMI)
3. The Project-Change Frame^® defines a stakeholder as someone who has, or believes they have, the right to be involved in the Project - either because they are affected by the Project (directly or indirectly), will use the Project output, or have an interest in how the work is progressed.

Stakeholder Communication and Involvement Plan

A defined format for capturing Stakeholder communication and involvement activities.

Stakeholder Involvement Grid

This document charts the level of involvement which each Stakeholder needs to have in the project.

Stakeholder Log

A simple format for documenting identified Stakeholders, their contact points, and their relationship with the project.

Stakeholder Status Grid

Captures an assessment of a Stakeholder against two dimensions:

1. How influential the Stakeholder could be in either undermining or promoting the Project and
2. What their attitude is towards the Project at the time of review.

Stakeholders: Target

Stakeholders directly and personally affected by your project. These Stakeholders may have to learn new skills, work with different teams, at different locations, or adopt different work practices.

Stakeholders: Team

Stakeholders with a dual relationship to the project. They are directly involved in the project work, and also hold a Stakeholder role, either as a Target Stakeholder or as a general Stakeholder.

Standard Deviation (SD)

Calculated as: (P-O)/6, where O = most optimistic time, P = most pessimistic time. (PMI)

Statement of Work (SOW)

A narrative description of products or services to be supplied under contract. (PMI)

Status Quo

The current norm; the accepted and expected way to behave and work.
This state enjoys relative stability and familiarity, and will continue indefinitely until a force disrupts it.

Steering Committee

A group of Stakeholders, established with the purpose of reviewing, monitoring and making some of the decisions on a project or Programme as it progresses through the Project-Change Frame^®.

Strategy

The overall approach to be employed when implementing the optimum solution.

Substantial Change

Change which can either significantly alter what exists, or introduce new generations of products, processes or services, but within an existing framework. See also Incremental Change and Transformational Change.

Supplier

Someone who provides goods and/or services.

SV

See Schedule Variance.

SWOT Analysis

SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities & Threats) is an analytical tool that examines the interaction between the Business or the proposed change and the external Marketplace.

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