Objective: To analyze how difficulties in scope detailing within a social project can compromise its success, especially when traditional project management methodologies are applied in highly subjective contexts.
Context: The study is based on a volunteer project developed by a non-profit organization specializing in project management. The initiative, carried out in a nursing home, aimed to promote food security, health, and quality of life. The research examined 16 meeting minutes, 8 progress reports, and other operational records.
Diagnosis: Document and observational analysis revealed that the rigid formalization of the scope, focused on tangible deliverables (donations), combined with the absence of qualitative tools, compromised the identification of subjective needs and intangible expectations of the beneficiaries, such as social interaction and leisure. This resulted in the partial failure of the project, with misaligned outcomes, exposing the limitations of traditional practices in social contexts.
Limitations: As a single case study, results are not generalizable. The absence of structured interviews with beneficiaries limited the depth of the analysis.
Practical implications: It is recommended to adopt hybrid management models that combine discipline with flexibility, using participatory techniques and qualitative indicators to align project deliverables with beneficiaries’ expectations.
Social implications: Aligning project scope with beneficiaries’ values supports more legitimate, sustainable, and socially impactful interventions.
Originality / Value: The study provides empirical evidence of the shortcomings of traditional practices in a social project and proposes practical guidelines for scope management in projects involving intangible deliverables and subjective expectations, broadening the discussion on the limitations of conventional models in complex social environments.
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