Project Scope Creep

Project Scope Creep refers to the gradual expansion or change of a project's scope after it has been initiated, typically in an uncontrolled manner and not following proper change control processes. This phenomenon occurs when additional requirements, features, or work items are added to a project that were not originally planned for in the approved project scope baseline. Scope creep can emerge from various sources: - Stakeholders requesting additional features ("just one more small thing") - Poorly defined initial requirements - Inadequate scope documentation - Lack of proper change control procedures - Team members adding "nice-to-have" elements - External market or regulatory changes necessitating modifications The consequences of scope creep are significant: 1. Schedule delays: Additional work pushes timelines beyond original estimates 2. Budget overruns: Added scope requires more resources than planned 3. Resource strain: Team members face increased workloads 4. Quality issues: Rushed implementation of added features may compromise quality 5. Stakeholder dissatisfaction: When projects exceed time or budget constraints To effectively manage and prevent scope creep, project managers should: - Document scope clearly in a detailed scope statement - Create a comprehensive Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - Implement formal change control processes - Require proper documentation and approval for all changes - Maintain the scope baseline - Educate stakeholders about the impacts of changes - Practice active scope verification The CAPM emphasizes that changes to scope are not inherently problematic when they follow proper change management processes, receive appropriate approvals, and include adjustments to schedule, budget, and resources. The issue arises when changes accumulate incrementally over time through informal channels.

Project Scope Creep refers to the gradual expansion or change of a project's scope after it has been initiated, typically in an uncontrolled manner and not following proper change control processes. …

Concepts covered: Scope Planning, Change Management Process, Requirements Elicitation, Scope Definition, Project Scope, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Risk Management, Scope Monitoring, Project Baselines, Scope Validation