Per Wikipedia, “scope creep in project management is continuous or uncontrolled growth in a project’s scope, generally experienced after the project begins. This can occur when the scope of a project is not properly defined, documented, or controlled. It is generally considered harmful.”
Generally considered harmful…now that’s a sanitized way of saying scope creep can wreak havoc on one’s day and or life. The real problem is when leaders refrain from permitting themselves to stop the creep. It is exactly these times when they can be most at risk of providing material for CNN’s, Fox’s, or MSNBC’s next blooper news video. And oh how the news outlets and social media sites love to broadcast epic fails.
For some leaders I’ve worked with, they simply don’t feel safe to speak up when additional tasks, duties, or responsibilities get piled on them by boards, customers, parishioners, or stock owners. In truth, sometimes they have little say in how or when the creep arrives but they always have the power to determine how wide a chasm the creep creates in their schedule.
To be honest, the healthiest leaders I’ve worked with are those who have pretty well established daily on and off the clock times. They understand that the majority of work tasks can wait until the next workday.
As we near the end of the 30 day challenge, I hope you’ve been experiencing the truth that there are ways to avoid the epic fails and instead leave a trail of material for greatest hits reels. You may be thinking I’m good, no scope creep in my schedule; my assistant ensures that!
While that may be true, I’d ask about the daily thought scope creep. You know the thoughts that lead to bad outcomes. Those seemingly small choices that in and of themselves don’t lead to epic fails. The problem is that sometimes they do. Sometimes that innocent one drink at the bar leads to…well you know what it can lead to. Or that sentence you’ve heard others speak time and time again, this time leads to a lawsuit or drop in stock price.
No, I’d venture to say that it’s not necessarily the project management scope creep but the scope creek of values, internal safeguards, etc. that lead to the epic, career-ending outcomes. If your five minute self- reflection review illuminates creep – cut it loose – now…
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