To look at or examine something carefully; in software, to determine the extent or boundaries of a project or task.
From 'scope' (Greek 'skopos' meaning 'target, aim') plus '-ing' (present participle). The term moved from surveying/viewing into project management in the late 20th century.
Software engineers 'scope' projects because they learned the hard way that projects without clear boundaries spiral into chaos—a perfect metaphor for how you can't hit a target you haven't defined.
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