INSTRUCTOR: Stuart G. Walesh, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE 

"For those familiar with the subject, it was a good refresher. For those new to the subject, it was very informative."

Purpose and Background

Scope Creep (SC) means being asked to do more than agreed upon and not getting paid for it. SC seems to be a perpetual plague on projects. It destroys budgets, eats profits, disrupts schedules, and conditions some clients and stakeholders to expect even more free services.

You, as a project manager in the business, government, academic, or volunteer organization can lead your project team in minimizing SC first and foremost by applying practical methods for preventing it and, secondarily, by resolving residual SC. Furthermore, any motivated team member, informed by the ideas and tools presented in this webinar, can minimize some potentially damaging internally driven SC and gradually become known as an effective project team member and potential project manager.

This webinar begins by describing internal and external SC drivers and then presents many practical tactics for minimizing the likelihood of SC and then resolving any SC that might still occur once a project is underway. The emphasis is on preventing SC, that is putting your eggs in the prevention basket. All SC management actions are to be taken in close cooperation and communication with the client/owner/stakeholder.

Participants receive a handout summarizing the webinar. Reflecting the webinar's underlying research, the handout includes a list of over 60 supporting articles, books, e-newsletters, and websites.

Learning Outcomes

• Define the 2 scope creep drivers
• Explain the 4 monetary and other costs of scope creep
• Describe 12 ways to prevent scope creep
• Illustrate 5 ways to resolve scope creep

Webinar Benefits

• Prevent most SC
• Resolve residual SC
• Build stronger project teams
• Reduce stress
• Adhere to budgets
• Increase project profitability
• Meet project schedules
• Enhance client/owner/stakeholder relationships
• Build stronger project teams

Intended Audience

This webinar is designed for public, private, academic, and volunteer sector professionals who manage or work on projects. The webinar builds on the premise that the project manager has primary responsibility for setting up and leading the project to prevent or resolve uncompensated SC. However, each member of a project team can help. Attacking SC is a team effort.

Webinar Outline

• SC: Compensated and uncompensated types
• Why uncompensated SC is like a snail
• The project triangle and the resulting impacts of SC
• Costs - monetary and otherwise - of uncompensated SC
• SC drivers: Internal and external
• The platinum rule: Not just the golden rule
• Trust: The best preventer
• Ask-ask-ask: Then listen
• Wants versus needs
• The gold beneath your feet
• Risk analysis: A simple and effective method
• Watch your language: Loose lips sink ships
• Define quality: Everyone on the same page
• The high cost of perfection
• Hold each other accountable
• Win-win solutions
• Make deposits in the goodwill bank
• Advice for clients and owners who are selecting consultants
• Resources for additional study