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Writing Effective Terms of Reference and Scope Documents

Terms of reference define what committees, consultants, projects and studies are meant to deliver, yet vague versions cause scope creep, disputed invoices and disappointing results across African organisations. A well written terms of reference sets everyone up to succeed. This course teaches delegates to write clear terms of reference and scope documents that define purpose, deliverables and boundaries precisely.

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Register for this course

What you will be able to do

  • Define the purpose, objectives and scope of an assignment clearly.
  • Specify deliverables, timelines and reporting expectations.
  • Set boundaries that prevent scope creep and misunderstanding.
  • State roles, responsibilities and decision rights unambiguously.
  • Include evaluation and acceptance criteria for the work.
  • Review a draft terms of reference against a practical checklist.

Course outline

  1. 01What a Terms of Reference Must Achieve
  2. 02Purpose, Objectives and Background
  3. 03Defining Scope and Boundaries
  4. 04Deliverables, Timelines and Reporting
  5. 05Roles, Responsibilities and Authority
  6. 06Evaluation and Acceptance Criteria
  7. 07Common Terms of Reference Failures
  8. 08Drafting and Review Exercise

Who should attend

This course is aimed at project managers, procurement staff, committee secretaries and managers who commission work and draft terms of reference or scope documents.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendarRegister
28 to 29 Sep 2026Nairobi2US$1,100Closed
29 to 30 Sep 2026Dar es Salaam2US$1,100Register
30 Sep to 1 Oct 2026Kigali2US$1,100Register
1 to 2 Oct 2026Kampala2US$1,100Register
5 to 6 Oct 2026Accra2US$1,100Register
6 to 7 Oct 2026Lagos2US$1,100Register
7 to 8 Oct 2026Cairo2US$1,100Register
8 to 9 Oct 2026Mauritius2US$1,100Register
12 to 13 Oct 2026Dubai2US$1,100Register
13 to 14 Oct 2026Online2US$900Register
24 to 25 Nov 2026Johannesburg2R10,000Register
25 to 26 Nov 2026Cape Town2R10,000Register
26 to 27 Nov 2026Durban2R10,000Register
30 Nov to 1 Dec 2026Pretoria2R10,000Register
1 to 2 Dec 2026Windhoek2US$1,100Register
2 to 3 Dec 2026Gaborone2US$1,100Register
3 to 4 Dec 2026Maseru2US$1,100Register
7 to 8 Dec 2026Mbabane2US$1,100Register
8 to 9 Dec 2026Lusaka2US$1,100Register
9 to 10 Dec 2026Harare2US$1,100Register
10 to 11 Dec 2026Lilongwe2US$1,100Register
14 to 15 Dec 2026Blantyre2US$1,100Register
17 to 18 Dec 2026Mozambique2US$1,100Register

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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