Scope Creep
Uncontrolled growth of a project's scope after work has started, usually because the scope was never properly defined in the first place.
Full definition of Scope Creep →:: COMPARE ::
Scope creepvsGold plating
The short answer
Same symptom, opposite culprit. The client widens the scope; the team widens the polish. Change control fixes one of these and has no effect at all on the other.
Side by side
| Aspect | Scope creep | Gold plating |
|---|---|---|
| Originates with | The client | The team |
| Requested | Yes | No |
| Fixed by | Change control | Definition of done |
| Feels like | Being imposed on | Doing good work |
What each one means
Gold plating
The contrast above sets out how Gold plating differs from Scope Creep on the points that actually matter.