What is scope creep?

Scope creep refers to the uncontrolled expansion of project scope beyond its originally defined boundaries. This phenomenon often occurs when new features, tasks, or requirements are added to a project without proper evaluation, approval, or integration into the project plan.

When project stakeholders request additional functionality or changes that weren't part of the initial agreement, this can lead to increased workload, delays, and budget overruns. Effective project management practices emphasize the importance of scope definition and management to minimize scope creep, ensuring that any changes are carefully considered, documented, and approved to maintain the project's objectives and deliverables.

In contrast, the other options highlight distinct project management concepts. Reducing project time and increasing project budget relate to resource management and scheduling rather than scope. The approval of project changes does not inherently imply uncontrolled expansion, as managing changes can be planned and organized through a formal change management process.