This is especially true when you're working on a project with multiple people, because it can be difficult to determine who's responsible for doing what.


Scope creep is a term that describes how a project can grow in size and complexity over time.

This can happen when one person or group is given too much authority to decide what should be included in the project, without first checking with others involved.

This can lead to the project becoming much larger and more complicated than originally intended, and can often be difficult to track.

1.1 What Is the Scope of a Project?


There is no one answer to this question because the scope of a project can vary depending on the specific circumstances involved. Nevertheless, in general, the scope of a project typically refers to the specific objectives and goals of the undertaking.

The scope of a project can be divided into three broad categories:

1. Project objectives

Project objectives are the overall goals of the project. They typically identify what the project is trying to accomplish and should be specific and concise.

2. Project elements

Project elements are the specific tasks and activities that are required to achieve the objectives of the project. They should be detailed and specific, and should be arranged in a logical and sequential manner.

3. Project dependencies

Project dependencies are the relationships between project elements and the need for other elements to be in place before the project can be completed. These project dependencies should be identified and documented to ensure that the project can be completed on schedule and to the correct specifications.

The scope of a project can be modified as necessary to accommodate changes in the objectives or project elements. However, it is important to keep the scope consistent with the overall goals of the project. Incorrectly altering the scope of a project can lead to delays and cost increases.

It is important to carefully review the scope of a project to ensure that it is realistic and achievable. If the scope is too limited, the project may not be able to meet its objectives. If the scope is too broad, the project may become unmanageable and may not be completed on time or within budget.


Read on, as this article provides you with a better understanding of the scope of a project and the importance of keeping it consistent with the overall goals of the project.

If you are worried about how you can make changes to your project goals, then here is a reliable creative brief format that you can download from the Unrubble.com blog.

1.2 Scope Creep Meaning


Scope Creep Definition: The meaning of scope creep can be understood in several different ways. However, it is generally defined as an expansion of a project's original scope without adequate justification or due consideration for the increased complexity and time required. This can lead to costly overruns, delays, and compromised quality.

1.3 Examples of Scope Creep


Scope creep is a term used in software development to describe when an organization expands the scope of its project beyond what was originally agreed to. This can be dangerous because it can lead to over-budgeting, missed deadlines, and decreased quality.

What Causes Scope Creep?

Lack of clear and concise project goals:

When developers are not sure exactly what they're supposed to be working on, they're likely to start adding features without first thinking about whether they're necessary or desirable.

If the project is still in its early stages, it may be easy to determine which features are necessary and which can be cut back or eliminated altogether.

However, as the project continues to grow, it becomes more and more difficult to determine where the original boundaries of the project lay. This can lead to developers adding unnecessary features, and the project can quickly go out of control.

Lack of communication between the developers involved in a project:

When different parts of the project are working on different parts of the codebase, it can be difficult to determine where the boundaries between these different parts of the codebase should be.

This can lead to developers adding new features and functionality without first considering the implications of these additions.

If the project is still in its early stages, it may be easy to determine which features need to be added or modified. However, as the project continues to grow, it becomes more and more difficult to determine where the original boundaries of the project lay.

This can lead to developers adding unnecessary features, and the project can quickly go out of control.

Here are some more common examples of scope creep:

  1. Adding new features to the project without first consulting the original developers.
  2. Requiring the project team to work on the project for longer than originally agreed to.
  3. Requiring the team to work on weekends and holidays.
  4. Requesting the team to work in an unfamiliar environment.
  5. Allowing the team to use unlicensed software.
  6. Adding new team members without adequately training them.
  7. Making changes to the project that were not originally planned.
  8. Spending too much money on unnecessary software and hardware.
  9. Not following through on commitments made to the project team.

1.4 How to Avoid Scope Creep?


There are a number of ways to avoid scope creep.

Have a clear and concise project charter that spells out the objectives of the project and the specific tasks that need to be completed.

Team members should be aware of the original objectives of the project and be sure that their new tasks and responsibilities fall within those boundaries.

All new tasks and responsibilities should be put into writing and approved by those who will be affected.

The project manager should be constantly monitoring the progress of the project to ensure that the original objectives remain true and that no new tasks or responsibilities have been added without adequate justification.

This task becomes easier when the project manager is able to save time by creating schedules online.

Finally, if scope creep is detected early on, it can be corrected by taking steps such as limiting the number of new tasks added, reassigning existing tasks to better fit the new scope, or cancelling the project altogether.

1.5 How to Fix Scope Creep?


Scope creep can be a frustrating problem to deal with. It can happen when a project's original scope begins to expand, and the team can't seem to stop adding new features or tasks.

The first step in solving scope creep is determining what's causing it. Sometimes, the problem is simply that the project team's ideas are growing too fast. Other times, the problem might be that the original scope was too vague.

Once you know the cause, it's useful to take a step back and reassess the project's goals. If the original scope isn't feasible, then the team might need to adjust its goals.

If the project's original goals are still too ambitious, then the team might need to consider splitting the project into smaller parts. This will help the team focus on completing specific tasks, and it will also reduce the risk of scope creep.

If all of these measures don't work, then the team might need to hire a new consultant or contractor to help them with the project.

In this case, it's important to be clear about the project's expectations from the outset. When everyone involved in the project understand their roles and what is expected of them, then there will few instances of misunderstandings or disputes along the way.

If you notice scope creep happening on your project, it is important to take steps to address the issue. This may involve renegotiating the original scope, hiring additional personnel to manage the project, or even shutting down the project completely when necessary.

And if you need more time to focus on your project goals, here is a useful app that will help you keep track of what your project team is up to in real time.