Which constraint (out of the triple constraints) is the most important?

Question

Which constraint, out of the three constraints (scope, cost, and schedule) do you think is the most important? A project manager I have talked told me it's the scope (because it's nearly always acceptable to play with the cost and the schedule, but not the scope). Is he right?

Please explain your decision.

Answer 1

Scope is important, but its not really one of the triple constraints, so we need to take that off the table. The triple constraints are the budget, the schedule/timeline, and the performance/quality.  I'd say the most important is the one the project sponsor values most, and the project sponsor should be consulted at the start of the project.