Scope Creep Glossary Definition

Term Scope Creep
Definition

Scope Creep is uncontrolled expansion of project scope without corresponding approval, resources, schedule, or budget adjustment.

Context & Usage

It often results from unclear requirements, weak change control, stakeholder pressure, or unmanaged assumptions.

Related concepts include Stakeholder.

Project managers, sponsors, and project-controls staff use this concept in budget reviews, performance reporting, forecasting, and variance conversations.

Related concepts include Budget, Cost Baseline, Planned Value, Earned Value, Actual Cost and Cost Variance.

Categories Knowledge Management and Content Governance, Software Development and Programming