Final answer:
Scope validation is the formal acceptance of the completed project scope by the stakeholders, ensuring that all deliverables meet the initially agreed requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scope validation involves formal acceptance of the completed project scope by the stakeholders. This process is essential in project management and is typically conducted at the end of a project phase to ensure that all deliverables meet the originally defined scope and that all work was completed satisfactorily to the approval of the stakeholders. Scope validation is different from scope creep, which refers to the uncontrolled expansion of the project's scope without adjustments to time, cost, and resources, often leading to project delays and budget overruns.
During the scope validation process, project deliverables are inspected and compared against the scope baseline to make sure everything that was agreed upon has been accomplished and is functioning as intended. If the deliverables meet the agreed-upon scope, the stakeholders will sign off on the work, indicating their formal acceptance. This is a critical step in the project management process, as it can help prevent any misunderstandings or disputes about the scope of the completed work.
However, scope validation is not to be confused with cost or schedule, which are other components of the project management triangle. Cost refers to the project budget, while the schedule outlines the time frame for the project's completion. All these elements need to be managed effectively for a successful project, but scope validation specifically addresses whether the project's outputs satisfy the requirements established in the project scope documentation.
The correct option for what involves formal acceptance of the completed project scope by the stakeholders is b. Scope validation.