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Scope Creep - Explained

What is Scope Creep?

Written by Jason Gordon

Updated at June 26th, 2021

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Table of Contents

What is Scope Creep?How to limit Scope CreepAcademic Research on Scope Creep

What is Scope Creep?

Scope creep, also known as feature creep and requirement creep, describes unexpected changes and uncontrolled developments that occur in a project's scope. More specifically, the requirements for carrying out a particular project grow or are expended.  Scope creep is generally considered harmful because it results in changes in a project which are continuous and difficult to control. 

Back to: OPERATIONS, LOGISTICS, & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

How to limit Scope Creep

Scope creep can occur due to any of the following factors:

  • An imprecise initial project scope 
  • Project stakeholders change the requirements of a project. 
  • Inexperienced or unskillful project manager
  • Internal communication disagreements between the key stakeholders in a project.
  • Poor project planning and change control
  • Failure to identify project requirements and objectives
  • Weak project sponsors
  • Non-versatility of project amongst other factors.

Academic Research on Scope Creep

  • Controlling design-phase scope creep, Kuprenas, J. A., & Nasr, E. B. (2003). AACE International Transactions, CS11.
  • Impact of Scope Creep on Software Project Quality., Thakurta, R. (2013). Vilakshan: The XIMB Journal of Management, 10(1).
  • Influence of Scope Creep on Project Success: AComparative Study between Conventional ApproachVerses Agile Approach, Suma, V., & LakshmiMadhuri, K. (2013). In IEEE International Conference on Advanced research in Engineering and Technology (ICARET).
  • Direct cost of scope creep in governmental construction projects in Qatar, Hussain, O. A. (2012). Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 12(14).
  • Beware the scope creep: Establishing service levels, Sadler, I. (2002). International Tax Review, (5), 22.
  • Managing scope creep with design patterns in formal specifications, Parisi, M. (2011). Int J Softw Eng Appl, 5(1), 63-72.
  • Effect of Scope Creep in Software Projects a [euro]" Its Bearing on Critical Success Factors, Madhuri, K. L., Rao, J. J., & Suma, V. (2014). International Journal of Computer Applications, 106(2).
  • Influence of domain and technology upon scope creep in software projects, Madhuri, K. L., & Suma, V. (2014, October). In Advances in Electronics, Computers and Communications (ICAECC), 2014 International Conference on(pp. 1-6). IEEE.
  • Software project management: The relationship among effort, change, and time, or a first attempt at preventing scope creep, Barry, E., Mukhopadhyay, T., & Slaughter, S. A. (1997). 
  • Scope creep in software development, Prabhakar, G. P., & Quah, J. (2008). Journal of Social Management, 6, 45-59.
  • Avoiding scope creep protects the bottom line, Bellenger, L. G. (2003). ASHRAE Journal, 45(10), 58.
scope creep

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