SCOPE CREEP – A COSTLY COLOSSUS!

The following article is written by James Scott CA (SA).

Usually, when starting a project, there’s a clear goal in mind, everyone is on board, and budgets and timelines have been set. But, small changes and additional requests trickle in as the work progresses. At first, they seem harmless – maybe even for the better. But, what started as a straightforward task soon grew into something far more complex and time-consuming – scope creep – a dangerous phenomenon that can quietly wreck your project!

These additions can accumulate without careful management, leading to overblown budgets, missed deadlines and stressed-out teams.

Importantly, it’s not always about what’s being added, but how these changes affect the original project framework.

Controlling project scope creep:

Scope – with approval from all stakeholders, create a report covering objectives, deliverables, timelines and boundaries.

Requirements – document and detail all items upfront to prevent ambiguity and to avoid later changes.

Process – set up formal procedures for handling scope changes, including documentation, impact analysis and approvals.

Communicate – schedule regular updates and stakeholder meetings to identify and address scope changes.

Manage – accept changes based on their value and alignment with goals and communicate the impact of each change.

Document – record all decisions, changes and approvals to ensure accountability and track project progress.

Tools – project management software will enable you to track progress, manage tasks and monitor changes.

Without careful control, scope creep can inflate budgets, stretch timelines and turn your project into a costly colossus!