What does the term 'scope creep' refer to in project management?

The term 'scope creep' refers specifically to the uncontrolled expansion of project scope without corresponding adjustments to time, cost, or resources. This phenomenon often occurs when new features, requirements, or tasks are added to a project after the initial planning has been completed, often without formal approval or consideration of the impact on the project’s overall goals.

Scope creep can result from various factors, including stakeholder input late in the process, lack of proper project management, or insufficient communication. When this occurs, it can lead to project delays, overspending, and overall project failure, as the team struggles to accommodate the increasing demands without adequate resources or timelines.

Understanding scope creep is critical for project managers to establish mechanisms for effectively managing changes to the project scope, ensuring that any modifications are well-defined, documented, and approved, thus maintaining control over the project’s trajectory.