What does "scope creep" refer to in contract management?

"Scope creep" refers to uncontrolled changes or continuous growth in project scope, which can occur when the project's requirements are not clearly defined or managed. This phenomenon typically arises when additional features or tasks are added to a project after the initial planning phase without proper evaluation, approval, or consideration of the impacts on resources, timelines, and budgets.

Effective contract management demands clear specifications of the project scope to prevent such occurrences. By maintaining a stringent control over the project scope through established protocols and reviewing processes, project managers can minimize the risk of scope creep. This ensures that any changes to the project scope are properly evaluated, documented, and approved before implementation, ultimately leading to better adherence to the contract and successful project completion.