Learning From Project Scope Creep Experiences

Scope creep—it starts with a “quick favor” and suddenly, you’re writing a whole new strategic plan for free. 😵💫 When Julia Devine and I first started consulting for nonprofits, we wanted to be helpful. We’d say yes to little extras, thinking it would build goodwill with clients. Instead, we ended up overwhelmed, underpaid, and frustrated. Sound familiar? Here’s how we learned to lovingly keep projects in scope: ❤️ Set Clear Expectations Upfront: Before the contract is signed, be specific about what’s included (and what’s NOT). A vague “fundraising support” clause? Recipe for disaster. Instead, define deliverables like “a 3-page major gifts strategy” or “two grant proposals.” ❤️ Use a Strong Contract: Your contract should be your best friend. Outline the scope in detail and include a clause about additional work requiring a change order or separate agreement. Protect your time and your income. ❤️ Say "Yes, And That Costs Extra": When a client asks for something outside the original scope, try this: ✔️ “I’d love to help with that! Let’s talk about a scope expansion and pricing.” ✔️ “That’s a great idea! I can add it for an additional $X.” ✔️ “I can prioritize that instead of [original task]—which would you prefer?” ❤️ Regular Check-Ins: During the project, revisit the scope with your client. A simple “We’re on track with XYZ—would you like to add anything as a paid extension?” can keep expectations in check. ❤️ Resist the Urge to Overdeliver: I get it—you want to wow your clients. But overdelivering doesn’t mean undervaluing yourself. Deliver what you promised, do it well, and charge fairly for anything extra. Have you experienced scope creep as a consultant? How do you handle it?

🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧: Stopping Scope Creep with Strategic Change Management (And how a $68M CRM rollout was saved before it imploded.) Ever led a project where every team had "just one more" request? Where 14 departments all believed their customization was non-negotiable? This edition of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗠 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 explains how we rescued a global CRM initiative that was spiraling due to scope creep, conflicting demands, and mounting delays. Without change control, we would’ve missed deadlines, blown the budget, and lost stakeholder trust. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁: ➝ Endless scope requests bypassing the governance process ➝ Executives pushing for mid-project enhancements ➝ Constant rework and morale burnout across delivery teams 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁: ✅ Established a Change Control Board with real authority ✅ Enforced impact assessments for every request ✅ Reframed change management as project protection, not red tape 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: → How to control scope without killing stakeholder relationships → How change fatigue creeps in—and how to neutralize it → The scripts we used to say “no” without causing conflict → How to make change control a respected team asset 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: 🧠 Our stakeholder alignment playbook 📊 Change request data that led to a 47% drop in scope churn 🚀 Takeaways to apply to any project facing runaway requirements If you’ve ever felt like your project was getting eaten alive by scope creep, this one’s for you. 👉 READ THE FULL ARTICLE NOW and let’s talk: What’s your best tip for stopping scope creep without blowing things up?

 “When Building a Kitchen Turns into Building a Castle – The Scope Creep Trap in ServiceNow” Imagine agreeing to build a kitchen. You’ve scoped the layout. Agreed on appliances. Even set a timeline. But halfway through, the client says… “Can we add a home theater too?” That’s scope creep and it happens all too often in many #ServiceNow implementations. You start with digitizing incident workflows, and suddenly you’re expected to solve enterprise-wide transformation overnight. Without a process owner and or product owner. Without data readiness. Here’s the truth: ServiceNow isn’t magic. It’s not a genie in a bottle. It’s a structured platform that delivers value when used with clarity, discipline, and alignment. Top 3 Ways to Avoid Scope Creep in ServiceNow Projects 1. Define a Clear MVP (Minimum Viable Product): 2. Lock down what's "must-have" vs. "nice-to-have" in early workshops. 3. Set boundaries around the scope using signed-off user stories. Own the Value Conversations: Tie every request/requirement back to a business outcome. If it doesn’t directly impact a KPI or OKR, recommend to defer it to a future phase except the decision-maker insists. Govern Through Change Enablement: Use a formal CR Change Order process for scope changes backed by impact analysis and approval gates. If Scope Creep Already Happened, Do This: 1. Re-baseline the Project Roadmap: Pause. Re-align. Reset expectations with sponsors and communicate the updated timeline and resource impact. 2. Prioritize Ruthlessly: Use MoSCoW (Must, Should, Could, Won’t) to categorize every backlog item and get agreement from the steering committee. 3. Educate with Empathy: Help stakeholders understand the trade-offs. Frame every delay in terms of missed value and opportunity cost. Final Thought: ServiceNow is like a well but the water only flows if the pipes (processes), plumbers (owners), and users (culture) are all ready and aligned collaborately with clear communications. To all BPCs and Consultants: Stay vigilant. Guard the blueprint. Deliver value. To clients: Bring clarity, not chaos. Transformation is a partnership, not a wish list. If this resonates with you, repost to help others. #ServiceNow #ITSM #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #Futurism #Careers