Managing scope creep is a constant challenge in project management. To navigate this effectively, I prioritize open communication with clients from the outset. By discussing project limitations and the potential costs of additional features upfront, I set clear expectations and help clients understand the implications of their requests. Regular updates and consultations ensure that everyone is aligned on the project's direction and any proposed changes. Additionally, I prioritize tasks based on their importance to the project's core objectives, focusing on delivering the essential features first. This approach allows me to balance client expectations with the project's feasibility and timeline.

If you're paid hourly and not on a project basis, it's just a prioritization exercise and not an issue. Pull in the new feature, re-rank the backlog, and keep going. Otherwise, for a fixed scope project, you either: A. reject the new features B. tradeoff new features with existing ones on the roadmap. You can't take on unlimited work. C. push out timeframes, or push budgets up It's all about setting expectations, and making sure the client understands the tradeoffs they're making.

Going back to the top goal for users, business and technology and framing scope within the context of risk to hit those goals ‘powerfully’ is, the “high level” strategy I have leaned towards. It requires some time doing analysis to actually gauge these risks for each working with SMEs within the project, but it’s certainly a straightforward approach that will speak to all parties. That said, it’s best to do this early on when the behavioral pattern is noticed.

Always the 3 ?? to handle the client: Problem statement | Budget | Timeline ?? Differentiate the [Goal] and [Expectation] whether this scope of work enough to solve the problem? Does it meet the goal? If the problem is beyond the solution - 1. does the project budget enough to settle? 2. Is the timeline enough to meet this goal? If yes, it could wrap up the extra works to next phase. If nope, suggest the quick fix to meet the goal within the timeline, then re-align the scope of works and reset the budget for next phase.