Scope creep refers to the uncontrolled expansion of a project's scope beyond what was originally agreed upon and defined.
Why it happens
Scope creep happens when new features or requirements are added after the initial scope was set. It is most commonly caused by:
- Lack of a well-defined and agreed upon scope
- Unclear project requirements
- Unrealistic expectations from the customer
- Poor communication
These issues need to be identified and addressed before scope creep can happen.
Preventing scope creep
While some level of change is inevitable on most projects, scope creep must be prevented if possible.
Some strategies to prevent or deal with scope creep include:
- Thoroughly scoping the project upfront
- Renegotiating timelines or budgets
- Communicating expectations
- Delay non-critical changes to a future phase