broadscope

Broadscope is a term used to describe a broad or wide-ranging scope or perspective. It appears in various contexts, including business, research, policy analysis, and project planning, where the emphasis is on comprehensiveness rather than narrow specialization. The exact interpretation of broadscope can vary by field, but it generally denotes including multiple domains, factors, and potential future scenarios in consideration.

In project planning and strategy, a broadscope approach seeks to incorporate diverse stakeholder needs, cross-functional impacts, and long-term implications. This often involves broader data collection, inclusive evaluation criteria, and scenario planning to reduce the risk of overlooking important dimensions. In research, broadscope studies may examine a wide range of variables, populations, or settings to enhance generalizability. In policy analysis, broadscope assessments aim to evaluate economic, social, environmental, and technological effects together.

Challenges associated with a broadscope approach include increased complexity, greater resource requirements, and longer timelines. Supporters argue that breadth improves resilience, adaptability, and the ability to anticipate unintended consequences, while critics caution that excessive breadth can dilute focus and hinder actionable outcomes. The term is related to concepts such as broad-scope analysis, holistic assessment, and systems thinking.

See also: scope, broad scope, holistic assessment, systems thinking.