If you’ve ever asked for a project to be bigger, completed faster, and delivered cheaper, you’ll most likely have gotten the response, “Did you also want cake with that?”
Like expecting dessert on a tight budget, the Project Management Triangle—also called the Triple Constraint—helps explain why you can’t have it all. This model balances scope, time, and cost to deliver quality outcomes, with each constraint impacting the other two. This guide breaks down the triangle to help you navigate project trade-offs effectively.
The triangle’s three points—scope, time, and cost—shape project delivery. Below, each is outlined with its effects on the others.
- Scope defines the project’s deliverables, tasks, and requirements, setting clear boundaries for what’s included or excluded to meet goals. Expanding scope–like adding software features–increases time or cost to maintain quality. For example, adding analytics to an application may delay launch or raise expenses. Reducing scope saves time or money at the cost of stakeholder satisfaction.
- Time covers the project’s schedule, including deadlines and milestones, ensuring timely completion of deliverables. Shortening timelines, like rushing a product launch, may require more resources (raising costs), a smaller scope, or risking quality. Extending time allows broader scope or cost savings but can delay benefits or frustrate stakeholders.
- Cost includes the budget for labour, materials, and other resources needed to complete the project. Cutting costs may reduce scope or extend timelines, and potentially lowering quality. Increasing costs can speed up work or expand scope, like using premium materials, but may strain budgets or need stakeholder approval.
The Project Management Triangle guides project managers to balance scope, time, and cost effectively. By mastering these trade-offs, you can deliver high-quality projects that meet stakeholder expectations and drive success.
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