How to Manage Scope Creep

Scope creep is silent and cumulative. Control it without becoming the person who always says no.

For the full concept, see Scope Creep.

Steps

1. Define scope precisely up front — a clear scope statement and WBS with exclusions.
2. Put a change control process in place so additions are visible.
3. Assess every requested change for its impact on time, cost and quality.
4. Respond with "yes — and here is the new date/budget", not an unconditional yes.
5. Track scope against the baseline and flag creep early as a risk.
6. Escalate patterns of small additions before they sink the schedule.