Scope Creep a dirty word in Project Management
From the Project Management in Real Life Blog
by Drake Settsu
Sharing my Project Management adventures and some tips.
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I worked on a project that was eventually terminated due to scope creep causing enormous cost overruns. The Project Manager did not stay within the scope. This happened slowly over time like a small crack in a dam leaks water. Change requests kept coming in and they were all getting approved. The cost of the project just kept going up. Change requests are a part of every project it happens. This project had change requests beyond sanity. We were replacing a system with the same system in the end if we did not pull the plug on it and cut our losses already.
Some causes of scope creep:
(1) Poorly defined requirements that don't clearly highlight the objectives you want to achieve. You need your deliverables defined clearly.
(2) Weak change control.
(3) Sponsors that are weak.
(4) Selecting the wrong vendor solution.
(5) A Project Manager that does not raise the flag when he sees the project spiraling out of control. He thinks he can salvage it.
(6) Having no sign-off from all parties that have a stake in the project. They need to speak up if they feel the proposed project falls short of their objectives. Hash it out before you formally kickoff the project.
My granddaughter loves playing Minecraft. The creepers job is to ambush players. Players can avoid creepers by running away or facing them to get rid of them. You can runaway from the creepers to avoid them, but they are still out there looking to cause trouble. Exterminate the creepers to get rid of them. The same goes for scope creep in project management. Don't allow numerous changes without challenging it. Face it head on and ask for a compelling justification. If your given a weak justification terminate that change request.
Minecraft Creeper
(Note - this article was originally written by Drake Settsu and published on DrakeSettsu.BlogSpot.com in August 2015)
Posted on: January 18, 2018 03:32 AM |
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Comments (12)
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A good reminder of the importance of managing the dreaded scope creepers.
Good article, Drake! One more I'd add is picking the right requirements management approach given the context and needs of the project.
Kiron
Anish Abraham
Privacy Program Manager| University of Washington
Auburn, Wa, United States
Good points, Drake and thanks for sharing.
Very good article. I agree with one of previous comments that proper requirements elicitation is a key. And one of elements is early identification of important stakeholders. I've seen it many times when a powerful stakeholder appears late in the project and starts shooting with his requests. You are already advanced with your work, and a lot of money is spent which makes is a very difficult situation. At this stage it is critical to have strong sponsors to be able to analyze the situation and either stop this stakeholder, or be brave to admit a mistake and terminate the project.
Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Good Subject Drake. Scope Creep can drill the project down in many ways if not controlled.
You make some good points Krzysztof.
Thank you everyone for your feedback.
Gold plating could be another reason for scope creep.
Thank you Drake for sharing reasons behind scope creep.
Yes Najam, sliding in gold plating will mess up the scope and also affect the approved budget.
Denise Canty
Agile Coach, Life Coach, Author, Senior Project-Program Manager| Cenden Company
Washington, Dc, United States
The scenario described sounds like really crappy project management.
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