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Jun 28, 2023
Steve Brisendine, Content Creator at SkillPath
Scope creep: Administrative professionals know those two words, and their implication, all too well.
You’re given a task or a longer-term project, and it just keeps growing. Maybe the aims keep changing. Maybe you’re spending far more time in communications and coordination than you’d planned. Maybe all of the task’s initial requirements were within your skillset, but new developments and responsibilities have you moving into unfamiliar territory.
Whatever the reason, scope creep can make it harder to complete a task or project on time, within the set budget and to the stated standard. Add that to the already-existing stress of taking on all those additional duties, and scope creep becomes a threat not just to your task or project, but to your career progression and your mental well-being as well.
What can you do to head off scope creep? Having clearly defined (and written) expectations going in is a must, but even the best-laid plans can go off the rails when unforeseen circumstances happen. When they do, it’s best to raise the issue with your supervisor as quickly as possible.
If you’re fortunate enough to have an empathetic boss, that affords you a chance to talk about the effect that scope creep is having on you. Not everyone has that, though. That doesn’t mean your boss is a bad person. It means their personality is focused on the bottom line: in this case, completing the task or project within the parameters of time, cost and performance.
That’s where you must focus the discussion. Start by laying out where the scope creep is occurring and the effect it’s having on the project. Have facts and figures ready and at hand and be ready to offer your input and suggestions if they’re requested.
Whether your boss’ personality is more empathetic or more focused on the bottom line, it’s important to remember what not to do when talking with them about scope creep and its effects.
With clearly defined expectations, ongoing vigilance and early intervention, you can keep scope creep from derailing your projects, your progress and your peace of mind.
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Steve Brisendine
Content Creator at SkillPath
Steve Brisendine is a Content Creator at Skillpath. Drawing on a 32-year professional writing and journalism history, he now focuses on helping businesses discover new learning opportunities, with an emphasis on relationships and communication.
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