Not a beginner question. I've seen too many otherwise competent PM's that don't know the difference, and I'm curious how others define it. Bear in mind, Scope Creep and Gold-plating are not the same either.
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Scope Change is an official decision made by the project manager and the client to change a feature X to expand or reduce it's functionality. Generally, scope change involves making adjustments to the cost, budget, other features, or the timeline. On the other hand, Scope Creep is generally referred to as the phenomenon where the original project scope to build a product with feature X, Y, and Z slowly grows outside of the scope originally defined in the statement of work. Scope creep refers to scope change which happens slowly and unofficially, without changing due dates or otherwise making adjustments to the budget. A good analogy is when a frog is placed in water that slowly heats up to a boiling point. The changes are so small that a problem isn't noticed right away, until suddenly, the team finds itself in hot water. An example of scope creep in a construction project could be last minute changes to add more costly trimmings, better paint, more expensive tiles, or other changes in the types of materials in areas where the materials weren't well defined in the scope document. An example of a scope change would be when the client decides to not only redo the master bedroom in the house but then also decides to obtain an estimate on redoing the bathroom as well. |
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I second Jmort EXCEPT to qualify "original" in the definition of scope creep. Scope creep is an unapproved change to the original statement of work plus approved changes. That is very important. |
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Scope creep as others have said is unmanaged scope change - yes always increased scope. I think the challenge is not so much that people don't understand the concept, it's they don't recognize when they open the door to creep. The minute you say 'yes' to a change, no matter how small you have given permission for every other idea to be added. The best way to avoid scope change is to always make the effort to assess the impact of requests. Some you'll add because there is little or no impact. Even then, complete the paperwork for the scope change. |
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Scope creep is always upwards (at least in my experience). It lacks the proper planning, costing, and/or approval processes. It usually happens bit by bit as various actors decide to to a little bit more. Sources of scope creep include:
Scope change can be either upwards or downwards. Scope can be removed, or added as required. Proper scope change should involve planning, costing, and approval. Scope change can induce scope creep if the new scope is not properly communicated. Projects may provide some time to handle missed requirements. This contingency budget can result in scope creep if it is not well managed. Without a clear process for allocation of the contingency, it will be difficult to tell whether the features are scope creep or scope change. Features which do not resolve a missing feature preventing meeting the scope, are likely scope creep. |
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-- scope change -> what you were supposed to deliver has changed/increased/decreased. your timelines/budget are usually changed (amicably) to factor this. -- scope creep -> what you were supposed to delivered has not changed but you are sweating to deliver it in time/budget because -you underestimated the complexity of the problem,design was faulty,design was good but implementation was bad,too many bugs,bad risk analysis etc. Usually it indicates that you did not estimate the delivery's complexity well and you now find staring at an inferno rather than a camp fire.. your timelines/budget is not changed amicably when this happens :) hope this helps |
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Scope creep is unmanaged increase in scope: http://cwd.dhemery.com/2003/04/banish_the_scope_creep/ |
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Scope creep is the customer trying to get more out of the deal by trying to introduce unapproved changes in the original specification, especially where the spec is unclear. As the customer then discuss these points with people whose work is to implement the project and not negociating the contract, it's very likely to work. |
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Scope creep is nothing more than unmanaged change to the scope. |
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Scope creep is the unexpected growth of user expectations and business requirements for an information system as the project progresses. The schedule and budget can be adversely affected by such changes. Project creep is the uncontrolled addition of technical features to a system under development without regard to schedule or budget. |
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