Your research project faces shifting priorities. How can you ensure the original scope remains intact?

There has to be a clear plan with clear objectives. To make sure it is following the original scope always compare the actual project progress with the original scope set . For any changes make sure that it goes through a structured review and to be approved afterwards to not affect the progress. Every step should be documented to make sure that there is a reference to avoid any conflicts that may arise.

Research projects and developments can change and shift overtime due to many things such as stakeholder preferences, team’s research findings or priorities of the company. As it is impossible to predict all factors that change the direction of your research it is important to adapt. Keeping a good documentation of current tasks in priority and person months can allow management to communicate efficiently where the team’s resources are allocated. This helps to define and allocate new work when priorities shift. Another method is to expect the timelines of both within and cross-platform teams. Transparency is a fundamental part of communication in why the priorities shift and it can help manage the teams expectations.

At this point, a meeting of the minds must occur between you and members of relevant upper management and the outline of a short term plan developed. However, things change and things change again, so it is your job to put the brakes on (however you can) precipitous, short term and not well thought out changes that would clearly be unproductive and wasteful of company resources. A time span should be negotiated in which nothing is changed while an evaluation of whether some new research direction is really the best thing to do is completed. Businesses act on facts and projections. Make sure you are part of the process.

To ensure the project remains true to the original scope, it is important to first establish a solid project foundation with well-defined objectives and metrics that can act as a guiding reference throughout the term of the project. However, there needs to be regular health checks during the term of the project to ensure that any changes align with the original purpose of the project. To achieve this, it is crucial to prioritize flexibility and adjust the approach of the project if needed. Open communication with stakeholders is essential to manage expectations and secure support for preserving the original scope. Finally, track progress closely to ensure that shifts do not lead to scope creep or dilution of the project's initial spirit.