What does the term 'scope creep' refer to?

The term 'scope creep' specifically refers to uncontrolled changes or continuous growth in a project’s scope. This phenomenon typically occurs when new requirements or features are added to the project scope after the initial scope definition without corresponding adjustments to time, cost, and resources.

Scope creep can lead to project delays, increased costs, and potentially jeopardize the successful delivery of the project. It often arises from a lack of proper change control processes or inadequate stakeholder communication, which can result in misunderstandings about what is included in the project.

In the context of project management, understanding and managing scope creep is crucial to ensuring that projects stay on track and deliver their intended outcomes.