Scope Creep in Project Management
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*Scope Creep Reference Guide*
“Scope creep is the uncontrolled expansion to project scope without adjustments to time, cost, and resources.” -- PMBOK® Guide
0:00 What is Project Scope Creep?
1:01 The Impact of Scope Creep on a Project
1:58 How to Manage Scope Creep?
3:56 The Scope Creep Parking Lot
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*When to Guard Against Scope Creep*
Scope creep can occur at any time in the project.
It most commonly occurs during reviews with stakeholders or customers.
During the review, the stakeholder or customer requests a change to a project goal or deliverable that will require additional unplanned work.
Scope creep occurs when the goal or deliverable is changed without adjusting the project schedule or resources.
Scope creep can also occur when project team members add unnecessary work to the project.
Often the team members do this because they believe it will make the project results better.
However, if the stakeholders have not agreed to the change and provided additional time and resources, the effect is to cause scope creep.
Scope creep inevitably leads to delays and overruns since the extra work requires time and money to complete.
Often scope creep is not recognized until the delay or overrun has already occurred.
At that point, it is too late to prevent the scope creep.
The project must either be “de-scoped” to fit within the original boundaries or the delay and overrun absorbed by the project sponsors.
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*Managing Scope Creep Steps*
Managing scope creep starts at the time of project initiation.
A clear set of project boundaries will reduce the likelihood of project scope creep.
The Project Leader should guard against scope creep initiated by team members at the pulse meetings.
If a task completion is delayed, the Project Leader should immediately check for the possibility of scope creep.
If that is occurring, the Project Leader and Core Team member should redirect the task leader to stay within the task scope.
Following every meeting with stakeholders, the project team should review the action items and direction to determine if there is scope creep. If there is an unfunded request for additional scope, the Project Leader should notify the stakeholders and request a clarification on project boundaries.
Either an increase in time and resources or the removal of the scope direction.
Scope requests that are not approved by the stakeholders should be recorded on a list known as the “Scope Creep Parking Lot.”
If the project is re-baselined, this list should be reviewed and appropriate tasks added to the project.
At the end of the project, this list is turned over to the project sponsors for review by future projects.
*Hints and Tips*
Scope creep is a never ending battle on projects. Expect it will happen, so watch closely for the signs and manage it.
It is very hard to tell your managers, “No,” when they ask for additional, unfunded scope on the project. Report the request with the impact at the next management review and ask for clarification on boundaries.
Create a small reserve of time and resources during project planning to be able to absorb small scope creep requests.
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