Scope Creep: Everything you need to know.
Definition, causes and how to avoid.
Scope creep or the requirement creep is a quicksand. It’ll demand more project resources to recover if a team faces this situation. A project needs to have a defined scope. This scope must be in a baselined document. Having said that, When the initial project scope increases with new features and functionality without commensurate changes to time, money, or other project resources, it is known as scope creep. Change is unavoidable in all endeavors, and it is neither good nor bad. Changes or expansions in the project scope that occur without adequate evaluation and permission are considered scope creep. The alteration or addition, however, becomes part of the project scope if it is approved.
Additionally, scope creep is mostly client oriented.
How Scope Creep Affects?
Because parts and components of a project vary, any project will experience change. To mention a few, these factors include needs, markets, customer preferences, budgets, accessible technology, and resources. However, allowing scope creep to occur in a project is always a risk and disadvantage. Scope creep has the following consequences:
- Compromising project time and resources for unapproved change requests.
- Allocated resources will be wasted.
- Delayed project milestones. Missed deadlines.
- Disengaged project teams and low morale.
What causes scope creep?
Shortly discoursing, the followings are the causes of scope creep.
- Underdefined scope definition.
- Poor project documentation.
- Poor change management.
- Miscommunication among team members.
- Interference from the client.
- PESTEL factors.
- Not checking project activities regularly
- Lengthy projects.
How to avoid scope creep?
Change is unavoidable, and scope creep may occur in every situation. Scope creep is unavoidable, and project managers should plan for it. They should correctly record requirements, develop a project timeline, and include the project team. A project team may effectively manage scope creep by establishing a change control process. This procedure entails:
- Keeping track of the project’s progress and comparing it to the baseline scope
- Identifying the reason, source, and severity of scope creep changes
- Setting up a change management process that handles change requests, impact assessment, and recommendation or approval.
- Never allow changes without proper review.
- Maintain proper communication between client and the company.
- Don’t allow client speak directly to the development team.
- Prepare self explanatory documentation.
- Monitor project status regularly.
Awareness precedes change. Knowing what is scope creep, repercussions of it and ways to avoid, be proactive when managing projects. Because scope creep costs more than what you sense.
