Not to be thrown into semantics but... Scope vs. Goal The goal defines the scope. If the goal does not change, neither the scope. When the goal includes a date...the scope has no way to adjust because scope refers, simply put, to a to-do list. A poorly conceived date does not change the scope, it cuts short the to-do list. How long does it take to a Nascar Team to win the Indy 500? 500 miles as fast as humanly possible.