You're facing scope creep in your project. How can you keep the vision intact?

Combatting scope creep starts with recognising it early. It always starts with "oh why don't we fix this tiny issue along with this release?". In the moment, you tend to commit since it seems like little to no effort. But only to realise later, that it affects so many user flows! That's why it's important to think critically and analyse whether this "tiny" request aligns with your original objectives or not. This allows you to communicate implications to stakeholders, highlighting potential impacts on timelines, budgets and resources. This proactive approach ensures everyone understands the risks, and maintains focus on the project's core vision.

Communication is key in managing scope creep. I must maintain open lines of communication with my team and stakeholders throughout the project. When discussing changes or additional requests, I am transparent about the impact on the project's scope. If a new feature is important, I discuss how it can be integrated without compromising the original vision or negotiate what other aspect can be adjusted to accommodate the change.

While it's crucial to stick to the project's vision, staying flexible is key. Markets and user needs can shift unexpectedly during the design process. You need to continuously reassess and adjust your project goals. Who knows, maybe an update to the original scope might boost revenue? It might even enhance the existing user experience. Being open to these insights allows you to integrate valuable feedback and respond swiftly. It's all about finding that balance between staying true to your vision and being responsive to changes in the industry.

If you don't document it, it never happened! Documenting all scope changes to maintain clarity and accountability throughout the project lifecycle is key. Record details of agreed-upon modifications, including their rationale, impact on the product, and any adjustments to timelines or resources. This serves as a reference for when you re-visit this project. Not just this, but documenting changes can help teams learn from past experiences, refining scope management practices for the future!