How does scope creep affect a project?

Scope creep refers to the uncontrolled changes or continuous growth in a project's scope, often without adjustments to time, cost, and resources. When a project experiences scope creep, it typically results in increased costs and delayed timelines. This occurs because additional work is added without proper evaluation or resource allocation, which can stretch the budget and lead to the need for additional time to complete the new requirements.

As new features or changes to the project scope are introduced, the project team may have to rework existing components or extend their timelines to accommodate these additions. This can lead to budget overruns due to the added manpower, materials, and resources required to address the expanded scope.

Therefore, understanding scope creep is crucial for project managers and teams to effectively plan, monitor, and control changes to a project's scope, ensuring it stays on track regarding budget and schedule.