INSTRUCTOR: Stuart G. Walesh, Ph.D., P.E., F.NSPE, 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), that is, being asked to do more than agreed upon and not getting paid for it, seems to be a perpetual plague on our projects. SC 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 sector, or volunteer sector, can lead your project team in resolving this situation first and foremost by applying practical methods for preventing SC and, secondarily, by resolving residual SC. The individual professional, informed by the ideas and tools presented in this webinar, can minimize potentially damaging internally driven SC and gradually become known as an effective project team member and potential project manager.

This 90-minute webinar begins by describing internal and external SC drivers and presents many practical practices for minimizing SC and then resolving any SC that might still occur. The emphasis is on preventing SC, which is “putting your eggs in the prevention basket.” All SC management actions should be taken in close cooperation and communication with the client/owner. Participants receive a handout summarizing the webinar and including a list of supporting articles, books, e-newsletters, and websites.

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss the 2 scope creep drivers
• Explain the monetary and other costs of scope creep
• Describe 12 ways to prevent scope creep
• Identify 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 intended for public, private, academic, and volunteer sector professionals managing or working 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 - the compensated and uncompensated types
• Why uncompensated SC is like a snail
• The project triangle and the resulting impact of SC
• Negative aspects of uncompensated SC
• SC drivers – internal and external
• Apply the platinum rule instead of just the golden rule
• Trust – the best preventer
• Ask-ask-ask and then listen
• Wants and needs
• Simple, effective risk analysis method
• Watch your language
• Define quality
• The high cost of perfection
• Hold each other accountable
• Win-win solutions
• 12 ways to prevent SC
• 5 ways to resolve SC
• Make deposits in the goodwill bank
• Thoughts for clients and owners
• Resources for additional study