What is the primary goal of project scope management?

The primary goal of project scope management is to define what is included and excluded in the project. This involves establishing clear boundaries around the project’s deliverables, objectives, and the work required to complete them. By properly defining the scope, project managers can ensure that all stakeholders have a mutual understanding of what the project entails and avoid scope creep, which is the unplanned expansion of project scope without adjustments to time, cost, and resources.

Defining the scope helps in making informed decisions regarding what tasks need to be accomplished and what resources are necessary. It serves as a foundation for the project plan, guiding design, execution, monitoring, and control efforts throughout the project lifecycle. Clear scope definition also aids in setting expectations for stakeholders and ensures that the project team can focus on achieving the project's goals without getting sidetracked by additional tasks that are not within the original scope.

Other options, while they can be relevant in a broader project management context, do not capture the essential purpose of scope management. Enhancing team collaboration, controlling project costs, and developing a communication plan are important aspects of managing a project but they are not the primary focus of scope management itself.