Which plan outlines how the scope will be developed, maintained, and verified throughout a project?

The scope management plan is essential in project management as it details how the project's scope will be defined, developed, maintained, and verified. This plan serves as a roadmap for ensuring that all project requirements are captured and agreed upon and helps establish a clear understanding of what is included in the project and what is excluded.

By outlining processes for scope change requests, the scope management plan helps the project team manage expectations and maintain focus on the project's objectives. It also includes mechanisms for how the project's deliverables will be validated and accepted, helping to ensure that the outputs meet the agreed-upon standards and requirements.

Establishing a well-defined scope management plan is critical because it directly impacts project success; without it, projects may face scope creep, miscommunication, and misaligned stakeholder expectations, ultimately compromising project delivery and quality. This plan is fundamental to achieving project objectives efficiently and effectively.