Scope creep

Abstract

The following article describes the project management phenomenon scope creep. The definitions of project scope and product scope as well as scope creep are discussed. Scope creep can happen both in proportion to project and product scope. Product scope creep can happen both naturally and when a stakeholder demands a new feature of the product. Project scope creep can happen when a project team is taken a new working direction with a project - both intentionally and unintentionally. Natural changes will happen in project all the time, and a project rarely delivers exactly what was asked for on day 1 of the project. The key to avoid scope creep is to handle these changes carefully, so this article also discusses tools to avoid scope creep. Suggestions on how to handle scope creep is also given, if this is unavoidable.