Scope Check
About the Scope Check
Scope Check is a fast, strategic validation tool for project and product teams to stress-test ideas before committing resources. It helps you spot assumptions, misalignment, and hidden risks early, so you don’t waste time building the wrong thing.
Who can use this template
Project Managers starting new initiatives
Product Managers weighing feature viability
Business Analysts validating requirements
Facilitators leading alignment sessions
Cross-functional teams facing unclear scope or priorities
What it helps you do
Expose and challenge untested assumptions
Align stakeholders on the real problem
Spot risks, resource gaps, and change blockers
Clarify success criteria and next steps
Decide: greenlight, rework, or stop
How to use it
Two-Session Flow:
🧠 Brainstorm (Session 1): Sections 1–7. Gather perspectives, identify risks, surface assumptions. (10 mins + 5 mins per section)
🎯 Distill (Session 2): Sections 8–10. Synthesize insights, assess readiness, decide next steps. (10 mins + 5 mins per section)
Between Sessions: Let insights settle (ideally 1–2 days).
Template layout
Start Here: Overview and instructions
Workshop Cheat Sheet: Norms and timing
Scope Check Canvas: 10 sections with starter prompts
Worked Example: Sticky note demo (lead scoring scenario)
Navigation Frame: Quick links across board
Facilitator tips
Push for honesty; politeness hides problems
Ask for evidence, not opinions
Capture disagreements; they reveal risks
Time-box discussions
End each section with 3 key insights
Why it works
In under two hours, Scope Check gives teams a clear, confident go/no-go decision without drowning in process.
Keywords: Project validation, project scope, project planning, pre-discovery, product validation, risk assessment, stakeholder alignment, workshop template, go/no-go decision.
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