What does scope creep refer to?

Scope creep refers to the gradual expansion of a project's scope without proper control or approval. This phenomenon typically occurs when new features, tasks, or requirements are added to a project after the initial planning phase has been completed, often without adjusting timelines or resources accordingly.

As a project progresses, stakeholders may request additional functionalities that were not part of the original project plan. These requests can lead to an increase in workload, additional costs, and potential delays in project completion. Managing scope creep is crucial to ensure that the project remains aligned with its original goals and objectives, and to prevent it from becoming unwieldy.

Recognizing scope creep helps project managers implement better change control processes, making it easier to assess the impact of any new requests and maintain project integrity. In contrast, the other answer options do not accurately capture this concept; they pertain to different aspects of project management, such as resource limitations and task scheduling.