Scope creep occurs when the intended project goes far beyond its limits and results in challenges related to its management. In some cases, it may provide for an increase in the assigned budget or for the postponing of important deadlines. Professional managers usually avoid this phenomenon, though it is always better to have a few instruments to deal with this issue to prevent the problems above.

Scope creep can be dangerous because it may arise from many factors. Some of them include poor communications or its lack with construction companies or other key partners, the failure of the latter to utilize appropriate contract procedures, improper analysis of the initial scope of work and duties, and others . It is important for the manager to keep scope creep under control in order to ensure that all significant deadlines will be met and that the project will be finished in accordance with the previously set standards.

Project manager’s control changes to the approved project plan with the consideration of the previously agreed terms and standards. First of all, there are usually decisions on changes that are left for the discretion of managers and the ones that should be discussed and approved to by the partner or other overseeing manager . While managing scope creep, decision-makers are required to keep a change log, as well as to ensure that all necessary amendments and adjustments in regard to the price of the project and deadlines are made beforehand . Project stakeholders may also need certain education on how to submit their part of information that is needed and how to send approvals and other necessary documentation.

A few instruments or guidelines may minimize negative implications resulting from scope creep and serve as indications how to control the change process. First of all, managers should prevent the possibility of scope creep from the first day of cooperation or the implementation of the project since otherwise requests will keep emerging. Secondly, it is necessary to set project boundaries or limits, as well as priorities that will guide decision making during the entire period of project implementation . More than that, project managers should also pay attention to defining the procedure of processing and controlling changes and determine who will perform it. The manager has to circle a few people who will be empowered to make necessary or significant changes to the project. These people should also be warned of gold plating when they do whatever the client asks for damaging their own interests.

Apart from that, managers should also employ inline communication tools, as well as project management applications to facilitate communication with clients and to have a certain proof of oral conversations in particular . A written follow-up in regard to a change to the adopted plan should be sent to the partner in order to agree on it. It will ensure that the parties actually share the same understanding of the change that is requested regardless of its scope.

Overall, scope creep may lead to many negative consequences ranging in their volume and implications. Some of them may provide for the postponing of a deadline or an increase in the project budget, whereas others may result in the ceasing of the project. Steps that may be necessary to prevent it, as well as to ensure the successful change management, include the identification of employees responsible for the processing of change requests, clarifying project boundaries and limits, as well as the scope of managers responsibility and setting top priorities that should be followed regardless of everything. This article was composed by Jon Jones. Works you can see here  dissertation discussion chapter and i think that help for your work!