Project Management Triple

Constraint
Time/Cost/Scope

CIT PROJECT MANAGEMENT

January 10, 2014
Authored by: No H. Morales

Project Management Triple Constraint

Time/Cost/Scope
Overview
The accomplishment of many structures, events, products, and even the creating of an organization
involved planning, tracking of tasks and resources, and a deadline in order to successfully deliver a highquality product. These characteristics are what describe the management of a project and other details that
are involved. The majority of these projects have certain constraints such as a deadline (Time), budget
(Cost), and the main objective (Scope). This trilemma, as it is sometimes referred as has an effect on the
process and results of the project, where a balance must be decided according to the priorities of the project
manager and stakeholders. An illustration of these aspects of project management can be shown in Figure
1.

Project Management Triple Constraint | 1/10/2014

F IGURE 1.Q UALITY DEPENDENT ON S COPE , T IME AND C OST .

Scope
There are usually two aspects of scope, product scope and project scope. Product scope involves a tangible
item that have certain features or functions that are expected by the customer. It could also involve a
service that customer can be satisfied and will be interested in continuing the purchase of the product.
While project scope involves the actual work that is needed to deliver the product; these may include tasks
and phases during the project. Typically, a scope is bases on certain constraints that the project
management and the employees must be aware throughout the planning and execution.

Time
A typical project usually has a deadline, compared to an ongoing operation, which does not necessary have
an accomplishment date. Projects have a deadline that is well-known among those who have an invested
interest in the project. Although the exact date of completion is unknown, the deadline can help make a
window for this date.

Cost

The resources necessary to complete the project will vary depending on availability. These may include
peoples skills, equipment, and even peoples attention on the project. These costs can become a crucial
aspect of the project in some instance; however, when any adjustments are made, others will be affected.
This can be shown in the following diagrams, Figure 2-4.

F IGURE 3. A DJUSTMENT OF T IME C AN H AVE AN E FFECT ON C OST AND / OR S COPE .

F IGURE 4. W HEN C OST I S D ECREASED , T HE D URATION M AY B E I NCREASED AND D ECREASE S COPE .

Project Management Triple Constraint | 1/10/2014

F IGURE 2. A DJUSTMENT OF S COPE AND H OW OTHERS ARE A FFECTED .

Bibliography
Chatfield, C., & Timothy, J. (2014). A short course in project management. Retrieved January 10, 2014, from Microsoft
Project Management: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project-help/a-short-course-in-projectmanagement-HA010235482.aspx
Minkiewicz, A. (2014). Selling your Software Estimate. Retrieved January 10, 2014, from Cyber Security & Information
Systems Information Analysis Center: https://www.thecsiac.com/journal_article/selling-your-softwareestimate#.UtArT_RDt8E

Project Management Triple Constraint | 1/10/2014

Project Management Triangle. (2013, December 20). Retrieved from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management_triangle#cite_note-11