How much is scope creep costing you?

Listening to my clients, scope creep continues to be a major problem for those in agencies and in sales. The client keeps pushing for more and more to be done within the existing budget and scope of work. These extras, over and above the original scope of work, are somehow expected to be done for free and included within the original price.

Scope creep is like a disease. It is contagious and the longer it is left unchecked the harder it is to stop or reduce. I suspect that scope creep often goes on unknown to senior management as anxious account handlers don't want to rock the boat and therefore just accept it. They find it hard to say 'no'.

Scope creep can be like death by a thousand cuts. Several of my clients reckon it is costing 15-20% of their profits. Here are two tips to help you reduce scope creep.

As soon as the client starts to scope creep you must push back ie "we'd be delighted to do that but it is in addition to our agreed scope of work so there will be an additional cost. Let me get back to you with a proposal".

When you write a proposal include what is 'in scope' and what is 'out of scope'.