Question

Which of the following factors can lead to scope creep and negatively affect the budget? Select all that apply.

a. Attainable timeframes and deadlines
b. A vague Statement of Work (SoW)
c. Agreements about the project that aren't officially documented
d. Last-minute asks from priority stakeholders

Answer 1

Factors contributing to scope creep include a vague SoW, undocumented agreements, and last-minute requests from stakeholders. Achievable timelines, conversely, prevent scope creep by setting structured project timelines.

Step-by-step explanation:

The factors that can lead to scope creep and negatively affect the project's budget include:

• A vague Statement of Work (SoW): A poorly defined SoW can lead to misunderstandings of project boundaries and objectives.
• Agreements about the project that aren't officially documented: Without formal documentation, it becomes challenging to hold parties accountable to original plans and can result in additional work being requested or required.
• Last-minute asks from priority stakeholders: These can introduce new requirements or changes that were not initially planned for and can significantly increase the workload and cost.

Attainable timeframes and deadlines, in contrast, are typically not a factor that leads to scope creep. Instead, clear and achievable deadlines help in preventing scope creep by providing structured timelines for project tasks.