**A project has schedule, cost, and scope constraints.**

Explanation: Every project operates within certain boundaries or constraints. These constraints are often referred to as the "triple constraints" of a project. They are:

1. **Schedule:** This refers to the timeline or duration within which the project needs to be completed. It includes milestones, deadlines, and other time-related factors that dictate when specific tasks or the entire project should be finished.

2. **Cost:** This pertains to the budget allocated for the project. It includes all financial resources required to execute the project, such as labor costs, material costs, equipment costs, and other expenses. Staying within the budget is crucial for the project's success.

3. **Scope:** This defines what the project will achieve, including the features, functionalities, tasks, and deliverables. The scope should be clearly outlined to ensure that the project meets its objectives without deviating from the initial plan.

Example: Imagine a company that wants to launch a new mobile application. The project manager sets the following constraints:

- **Schedule:** The app should be launched in 6 months. - **Cost:** The budget for the project is $100,000. - **Scope:** The app will have features like user registration, product listing, online payment, and user reviews.

Throughout the project's lifecycle, the project manager and the team will continuously monitor and control these constraints to ensure that the app is launched on time, within budget, and with the specified features. If any of these constraints are at risk of being breached, corrective actions will be taken.

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Collapse SubdiscussionTerry Northcraft

Terry Northcraft

YesterdayOct 28 at 7:01pm

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Norman,

I would like to add to your thoughts about the project triple constraints. In your example, you stated

"**Schedule:** The app should be launched in 6 months. - **Cost:** The budget for the project is $100,000. - **Scope:** The app will have features like user registration, product listing, online payment, and user reviews."

Since these are the triple constraints of the project if one of them is not met then one or both of the remaining constraints must change to ensure the project objectives are met. In other words, if the project budget of $100,000 is trending to go over budget then the team must either cut the scope (functionality) of the project or cut some part of the schedule so that less labor is used. Does this make sense? Any questions?