LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Learn more in our Cookie Policy.

Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. You can update your choices at any time in your settings.

Agree & Join LinkedIn

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

Skip to main content
LinkedIn
  • Top Content
  • People
  • Learning
  • Jobs
  • Games
Join now Sign in
Last updated on Feb 13, 2025
  1. All
  2. Business Administration
  3. Management

Your project timeline is at risk of derailing due to scope creep. How can you ensure it stays on track?

When scope creep threatens your project timeline, it's crucial to act fast. Here's how to keep your schedule on course:

- Clarify project boundaries. Regularly review project objectives and deliverables to prevent unnecessary additions.

- Improve communication. Ensure all stakeholders understand the impact of changes on the timeline.

- Implement change control processes. Use formal procedures for evaluating and approving changes.

How do you handle scope creep in your projects? Share your strategies.

Management Management

Management

+ Follow
Last updated on Feb 13, 2025
  1. All
  2. Business Administration
  3. Management

Your project timeline is at risk of derailing due to scope creep. How can you ensure it stays on track?

When scope creep threatens your project timeline, it's crucial to act fast. Here's how to keep your schedule on course:

- Clarify project boundaries. Regularly review project objectives and deliverables to prevent unnecessary additions.

- Improve communication. Ensure all stakeholders understand the impact of changes on the timeline.

- Implement change control processes. Use formal procedures for evaluating and approving changes.

How do you handle scope creep in your projects? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
55 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Manisha Gandharva

    Transformation Program Manager | Transitions & Digital transformation | ERP implementations

    • Report contribution

    Scope creep is very common in project management. Here are the things we can avoid / control - hard and soft freeze in project plan - adoption of Agile methodology and any increase in scope can be considered last wave to implement to avoid any impact on original scope’s delivery - act quickly and communicate to all stakeholders and impacted teams including project team - allocation of required additional cost resources and cost - risk and impact assessment for additional scope Other than above mentioned, there are many more as proactive actions to ensure it does not impact the original plan.

    Like
    12
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dmytro Tymoshenko

    Growth Executive | MBA | Scaled EdTech & AI SaaS in 12 countries (North America, EMEA, APAC) | CEO @ Eightify (a16z Top 100 AI App) | Public speaker

    • Report contribution

    Projects need clear boundary definitions followed by documentation of every accepted deliverable. A disciplined change request procedure should consider new request impacts alongside priorities during evaluation. Project progress monitoring must be performed on a regular basis to detect scope creep at an early stage. Meet with stakeholders to keep expectations consistent. During product launch management we delivered on time by restricting emergent feature requests at the last minute. Make modifications to resources or timelines before any necessary changes occur. Control strategies together with flexibility norms allow projects to stay on schedule and maintain high standards of quality.

    Like
    6
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Ademir Vicente

    Vice-Presidente I-COOP | Diretor da AVS e VVI Energia

    • Report contribution

    Um exemplo que já conduzi pessoalmente: Para realinhar cronograma, realinhei o foco do projeto. Fiz isto reunindo a equipe de lideres, revisando as tarefas, ajustando os recursos e reduzindo o tempo de monitoramento. Se no fluxo normal, as verificações eram semanais, criei uma revisão intermediária. Esta ação reativou o senso de importância e urgência na equipe. Num projeto anual, com cerca de 20% de desvio, foi possível retomar o cronograma padrão em cerca de 8 semanas. Foi necessário recapacitar funções chaves, aceitar mais risco mas preservei o orçamento e os prazos acordados e por fim, todos receberam o bônus.

    Translated
    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dmytro Tymoshenko

    Growth Executive | MBA | Scaled EdTech & AI SaaS in 12 countries (North America, EMEA, APAC) | CEO @ Eightify (a16z Top 100 AI App) | Public speaker

    • Report contribution

    The project scope should be defined in detailed terms while documenting every modification with approval processes specified. All new request approval demands strict process requirements. Organize work based on how much each task affects the outcome and its implementability. Inform stakeholders about how practical changes affect the relationship between project scope and resources along with schedule durations. Monitoring project milestones enables teams to detect potential dangers at their start. The past project met its schedules by restricting mid-cycle adjustments while performing frequent scope reviews. Business progress remains uninterrupted when maintain a rigid system that adapts to changes.

    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Vinicius Teixeira

    Transformo idéias em produtos incríveis | Product Manager | Product Specialist | Generative AI | CSPO | CLF | PBB | PSPBM Skills | PPDV | SKP | SBK | KMP (KSD+KSI) | Management 3.0 | SAFe 6 (POPM+LPM)

    • Report contribution

    Para evitar que o cronograma do projeto saia dos trilhos por desvio de escopo, defina um escopo claro e formalize cada mudança com avaliação de impacto. Mantenha o cronograma visível e atribua alguém para zelar pelo escopo, questionando alterações não previstas. Comunique desvios cedo e envolva o sponsor, pois ele controla recursos e ajuda a frear solicitações extras. Inclua buffers de tempo, aprenda a dizer “não” com diplomacia e monitore o progresso constantemente. Reconheça o empenho do time para manter tudo nos trilhos.

    Translated
    Like
    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Donald Zullick, MBA

    Project Management/Leadership | Data Analyst | Operations

    • Report contribution

    Scope creep is a recurring issue in projects of all types, from my experience often in software initiatives. This derives from both sides of the table. As providers we want to keep the cost down so will take customer guidance and run with it. Customers will often not understand or comprehend the complexity of their required solution. -we can never ask too many questions -leave checkpoints in the project plan to review requirements and realign with expanded comprehension of solution parameters -software is challenging in that is difficult to take a system guided by human interaction and automate all the steps In the end, we have to provide a comprehensive solution.

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Marcio Silva

    Specialist in management, marketing and sales.

    • Report contribution

    Scope creep can derail even the most well-planned projects. To keep your project on track, establish clear boundaries and document the scope in detail from the start. Implement a robust change management process to evaluate and approve any adjustments. Regularly communicate with stakeholders to align expectations and identify potential deviations early. Maintaining discipline around scope and ensuring consistent progress tracking are key to avoiding costly disruptions and delays.

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Giuliana Wiese

    Founder y CEO | Consultoría | Mentoría | Speaker | Finanzas | Gestión de Proyectos | Presupuestos | Bancos | B2B | B2C | OKR | Productividad personal | Hábitos | Inmobiliaria | Construcción | Servicios | ONG

    • Report contribution

    La línea es muy delgada cuando se trata de corrupción y mantener al equipo y los proyectos al margen, aconsejo: 1- Definir claramente los objetivos y límites del proyecto desde el inicio, asegurando que todas las partes interesadas estén alineadas y comprometidas con el alcance establecido. 2. Implementar un proceso riguroso de control de cambios, donde cualquier solicitud adicional sea evaluada en términos de impacto en costos, tiempos y recursos antes de ser aprobada.

    Translated
    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Maria Fernanda Rodriguez

    Marketing Director| Regional Manager | B2B/B2C | Leader | Startegist | Events | Digital Marketing | Agency Manager

    • Report contribution

    It is normal for some projects to experience scope expansion along the way. For this reason, it is essential to have a clear objective from the beginning and establish a tracking schedule to ensure each phase is completed. I recommend implementing agile methodologies from the start. Once an overflow is detected, a team meeting should be held as soon as possible to review and evaluate the new scope. The impact on budget and timeline is assessed. If the extension is approved, resources and responsibilities are reassigned, and deadlines are adjusted accordingly. Finally, periodic meetings should continue to maintain clear team communication and ensure project completion.

    Like
    2
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Ricardo Chang

    Strategic Business Manager│Business Development │Sales & Commercial │ B2B & B2C │ Disruptive Innovator

    • Report contribution

    Para evitar que la corrupción del alcance afecte el cronograma de tu proyecto, puedes aplicar estrategias clave: ✅ Definir el alcance desde el inicio: Establecer límites claros y documentar lo que está dentro y fuera del proyecto. ✅ Controlar cambios de manera estructurada: Implementar un proceso formal de aprobación para modificaciones en el alcance. ✅ Actualizar la línea base del proyecto: Ajustar cronograma y recursos según los cambios aprobados. ✅ Monitorear continuamente: Validar entregables y controlar desviaciones para mantener el proyecto alineado. ✅ Gestionar expectativas de stakeholders: Asegurar que todas las partes comprendan los límites del proyecto.

    Translated
    Like
    2
View more answers
Management Management

Management

+ Follow

Rate this article

We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.

Tell us more

Report this article

More articles on Management

No more previous content
  • You're struggling to build trust among your team members. How can you foster open communication effectively?

    88 contributions

  • Your team is struggling with communication. How can you foster effective peer-to-peer feedback?

    32 contributions

  • You're faced with a team of varied skill levels. How do you effectively delegate tasks for project success?

    22 contributions

  • You're facing organizational transitions. How can you ease employee concerns about job security?

    22 contributions

  • Your team is overwhelmed with tight deadlines. How do you keep them motivated?

    14 contributions

  • You're managing a team with diverse levels of experience. How can you effectively leverage their expertise?

    43 contributions

  • Your organization struggles with rapid changes. How can you foster a culture of adaptability?

    15 contributions

  • Your HR and finance teams are struggling to collaborate. How can you bridge the communication gap?

    15 contributions

  • You're facing multiple change proposals in your organization. How do you align them with long-term goals?

No more next content
See all

More relevant reading

  • Critical Thinking
    What techniques can you use to manage project dependencies that affect your reputation?
  • Cross-functional Team Leadership
    How do you handle scope creep and change requests from customers in a cross-functional team?
  • Program Management
    How can you manage scope creep to meet deadlines?
  • Critical Thinking
    What are the best critical thinking frameworks for identifying project dependencies?

Explore Other Skills

  • Business Strategy
  • Executive Management
  • Business Management
  • Product Management
  • Business Development
  • Business Intelligence (BI)
  • Project Management
  • Consulting
  • Business Analysis
  • Entrepreneurship

Are you sure you want to delete your contribution?

Are you sure you want to delete your reply?

  • LinkedIn © 2025
  • About
  • Accessibility
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Brand Policy
  • Guest Controls
  • Community Guidelines
Like
4
55 Contributions