Stop Scope Creep In Its Tracks

Have you ever been on a project with seemingly no end in sight? The sponsor or stakeholders keep adding ‘just one more thing.’ The requirements grow and grow. Eventually it becomes too big to manage, or your budget and timeline are blown.

If this sounds familiar you too have been a victim of scope creep!

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What is Scope Creep?
Scope creep is what happens when new product features or new requirements are added that weren’t part of the original project scope. It can happen for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Undefined scope during project initiation
• Incomplete requirements
• Poor communication
• Differing stakeholder priorities
• Lack of an experienced Business Analyst or Project Manager

Why is it a bad thing?
When the decision is made to add additional features to a project, or if requirements change, it generally impacts other areas as well. For example, if you add a new feature to an app you’re developing, the feature may extend the timeline or increase the cost of development. Communication is key in any instance of scope creep. It is important your project stakeholders are well-informed about the impact of adding requirements.

Stop Scope Creep in its Tracks!

What are some ways you can stop scope creep from happening to you?

Define Your Requirements

• Work with stakeholders early on to define project requirements. Include a list of what is in and out of scope and always share this information with your key stakeholders. If stakeholders weigh in about missing requirements early on, you can add them to the project scope with less of an impact.

Estimate Impact of Change on Timeline and Cost

• Always be sure to connect the new requirement or change to an estimated dollar amount and a number of project hours, and present this information to the project sponsor. This can help them fully understand the implications of their ask and allow them to make an informed decision about proceeding. Seeing a price tag associated with the new feature can help deter unnecessary additions to your project.

Work with a Business Analyst and Project Manager

• An experienced Business Analyst is crucial to effective requirements management. They can set you up for success by ensuring your project scope is solid from the start. During the project, the Business Analyst and PM track requirements. They can communicate early on if new items coming up in discussion are different than the agreed upon project scope.

Can Scope Creep be a Good Thing?

It turns out not all scope creep is a bad thing! Sometimes project requirements do change, and there may be a valid business need to add additional features.

Before adding something to the scope, ask yourself:

• Does it align with the business reasons for the project?
• Does the sponsor understand (and approve) the financial impact?
• Does the sponsor understand (and approve) the timeline impact?
• Does the sponsor understand (and approve) the resource impact?
• Do key stakeholders agree about adding the new requirement/feature?

If you’ve answered yes to the above questions, you’re on your way to handling scope creep correctly.
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Looking for more information on how to effectively manage project scope?

Our experienced team of Business Analysts and Project Managers can help keep your project scope under control from initial requirements through project execution and beyond. GET STARTED HERE!

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