What is scope creep?

Scope creep refers to the gradual expansion of project objectives or requirements beyond the original plan, often as a result of integrating enhancements or changes without proper evaluation or approval. This can lead to project delays, increased costs, and potential failure to meet the original goals. When enhancements are added without a thorough assessment of their impact on the project's timeline and resources, it creates challenges in managing the project effectively. Therefore, the concept emphasizes the importance of rigorous change control processes to ensure that any alterations to the project scope are justified and adequately managed.

In contrast to this, formal approval of project changes is a structured process that avoids scope creep by ensuring that any modifications are reviewed and sanctioned appropriately. Similarly, reducing project scope due to budget constraints does not align with the definition of scope creep, as it represents a deliberate contraction of project goals, rather than an unregulated expansion. Finally, finalizing project documentation pertains to the closure of a project and does not involve the ongoing risk or issue of scope changes that characterize scope creep.