What is a Project Scope Statement?
The scope statement describes, in writing, what the project will deliver and — just as important — what it won't. It covers the product scope description, deliverables, acceptance criteria, and explicit exclusions, plus key assumptions and constraints.
The exclusions section is the underrated part: "the mobile app is out of scope for phase 1" written down today prevents the argument six months from now. Together with the WBS and WBS dictionary, the scope statement forms the scope baseline.
Worked example
A scope statement for an office renovation lists: new flooring and lighting on floors 3–5, completion by October, acceptance by the facilities director against the finish schedule — and states plainly that furniture procurement and floor 6 are excluded. When floor 6's manager asks "aren't you doing ours too?", the answer is a document, not a debate.