Managing Scope Creep in Software Projects

Scope creep—the uncontrolled expansion of project boundaries beyond initial agreements—is a persistent challenge in software project management. As software systems grow in complexity and stakeholder demands evolve, project managers must adopt proactive strategies to prevent, manage, and even leverage scope changes for organizational benefit. This paper explores the root causes, consequences, and mitigation techniques associated with scope creep, offering a structured framework for managing change in dynamic software environments. Keywords Scope creep, software project management, change control, stakeholder management, project planning, requirements engineering, risk mitigation, agile governance.