Scope creep: what it is and what it means

Scope creep is the progressive expansion of a project's scope during execution, without a formal decision to change the Charter. It happens when new requests are added to the original project without anyone checking whether they fall within the agreed scope, eroding budget and time invisibly. The only safeguard is the Charter's out-of-scope section, stated explicitly before kickoff.

Distinctive: progressive expansion of a project's scope
Distinctive: without a formal decision to change the Charter
Essential: during execution
Essential: eroding budget and time invisibly
Constant: new requests are added to the original project

Glossary

Scope creep

The progressive, unauthorized expansion of a project's scope during execution, which erodes budget and time invisibly.