The Real Cost of Unclear Scope

Most schedule slips don’t start with a big failure. They start with a small sentence that was never written.

Unclear scope causes three predictable problems:

• Clarification loops: vendors ask basic questions, timelines drift.

• Mismatched deliverables: what you expected is not what was quoted.

• Late changes: alignment happens after award—when it’s expensive.

To prevent it, define scope using four anchors:

1. Technical definition: key parameters + required standards/codes

2. Interfaces: tie-ins, compatibility needs, packaging, testing, site constraints

3. Deliverables: drawings, certificates, reports, manuals, SDS/COA/TDS where applicable

4. Acceptance: what “approved” means and who signs off

A useful test: if two engineers read your RFQ, will they picture the same package?

Clear scope is not “more paperwork.” It’s how you buy time.

Takeaway: Scope clarity is schedule protection. Write the missing sentences before you request quotes.