Scopewho

Scopewho is a conceptual framework and software tool designed to improve project scope management by explicitly linking each scope item with a responsible owner and a decision record. The central idea is to create a traceable chain from strategic goals to individual tasks, so that changes in scope, ownership, or requirements are visible and auditable.

Key concepts include scope items (deliverables or boundaries), owners (who is accountable), and decision records (why a change was made). The framework supports modeling scope with structured data, importing requirements, and generating a living scope statement and an ownership map. It also provides a change log and a governance workflow to ensure that modifications are reviewed and approved as needed.

Architecture and features typically include a data model for scope items, a rule engine to enforce consistency (for example, every scope item must have an owner and a justification for changes), a user interface for editors and sponsors, and integrations with issue trackers, documentation repositories, and version control systems. Applications span product development, research projects, and IT initiatives, with aims to reduce scope creep, improve accountability, and facilitate audits.

History and reception: in software governance discussions, scopewho is described as a useful, though optional, layer that complements existing methods such as scope statements and RACI matrices. Critics point to potential overhead and rigidity if adopted without tailoring.

See also: scope management, stakeholder management, RACI matrix, requirements traceability.