scope creep
/skоʊp kriːp/
CommonWhen a project's requirements keep expanding past what was originally agreed.
Often happens gradually through small 'can you also add...' requests. Nobody announces scope creep. It sneaks in.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | started as a simple redesign. now includes a full rebrand, new copy, and a mobile app. scope creep is wild. | The project expanded far beyond what was originally scoped. | x, 2024 |
| 02 | client said 'just a few small changes' three weeks ago. this is scope creep and i should have said no. | What seemed minor turned into a much larger commitment. | reddit, 2023 |
| 03 | we had a spec. everyone agreed. then week 2 they added integrations, analytics, and a notification system. scope creep. | The original agreement was ignored and requirements kept growing. | reddit, 2024 |
| 04 | the budget didn't change but the deliverables did. that's literally just scope creep with extra steps. | The project grew without additional resources to match. | x, 2023 |
Use it when
- A client or stakeholder keeps adding requirements after the contract or spec was agreed.
- The project timeline keeps slipping because the goal keeps moving.
- What started as a small task has turned into a multi-week effort.
- Nobody changed the deadline but the work doubled.
Do not use it when
- The extra work was planned and budgeted for.
- You specifically mean new product features.Use “feature-creep” instead.
Scope creep vs feature creep
scope creep
Scope creep covers any expansion of project requirements, including process, compliance, integrations, and non-product work.
VS
feature-creep
Feature creep is specifically about adding product features.
Origin and context
Emerged from project management and software development literature. Widely used in professional circles by the late 1990s and became mainstream as remote work and freelance culture spread online.
- First seen
- 1990s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/scope-creepUpdated: 2026-08-29License: CC BY 4.0