---
title: "The triple constraint: scope, time, and cost"
course: "PMGT 170 · Get projects done on time"
unit: "Starting a project"
lesson: 5 of 38
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/get-projects-done-on-time/the-triple-constraint-scope-time-and-cost
publisher: Maestro College
---

# The triple constraint: scope, time, and cost

Lesson 5 of 38 in **Get projects done on time** (PMGT 170), unit "Starting a project". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Identify the three elements of the triple constraint and how they depend on each other
- Apply trade-off reasoning to decide what changes when one constraint shifts

## Teaching notes
Use an illustration that shows the triple constraint as a triangle with scope, time, and cost at the three corners, and quality in the center. Allow interaction that shows that pulling one corner affects the others, or the quality. This visual makes the trade-off concept concrete and memorable.

No need to use the CrossTown Fitness scenario, choose other examples as you wish.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 5 complete: The triple constraint: scope, time, and cost."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Waterfall, agile, and hybrid: choosing your approach" (lesson 6 of 38), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/get-projects-done-on-time/waterfall-agile-and-hybrid-choosing-your-approach.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: The project lifecycle
Next lesson: Waterfall, agile, and hybrid: choosing your approach