What is Progressive Elaboration ?

Progressive Elaboration is critical to project success

• Progressive means proceeding in steps, continuing steadily with increment.
• Elaboration means worked out with care and detail, developed thoroughly
• Should not be confused with scope creep.
• Needs to be carefully coordinated with proper project,Scope Definition, particularly if the project is performed under contract.

Why Progressive Elaboration.....?
Because projects are temporary and unique!

Example: Project scope is high-level in the beginning. It becomes more detailed as project team progresses and develops better understanding of project objectives and deliverables.

Many people confuse it with scope creep that happens due to poor scope definition, poor WBS formation and Uncontrolled changes.

Each project’s product is unique.
Hence, its characteristics THAT DISTINGUISH IT must be “PROGRESSIVELY ELABORATED"

That’s why so much emphasis on processes called:
- “Identify stakeholders” (during initiation)
- “Collect requirements” (during planning) 

The distinguishing characteristics are
“Broadly defined” early in the project
  More explicit and detailed as project progresses
THEN, PROJECT TEAM BEGINS TO GRASP THEM
BETTER

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