How to Stop Scope Creep in Your Web Project Design

Web designs are meant to be flexible since the project specifics change with each client interaction. Scope creep occurs when the client keeps making requests after the initial agreement. To avoid apply:

Preventative Measures: Stop the problem before it actually becomes a problem. These include:

Table of Contents

1) Develop Scope of Work

Scope of work contains the project’s specifics like deliverables, technological needs and site navigation etc. Demand this from the client in the form of Request for Proposal.

2) Provisions for Scope Creep

Bluntly address scope creep in the proposal and list provisions in case one occurs. Include hourly rates for anything beyond the proposal’s

3) List Terms and Conditions

Listing clear and solid terms and conditions are necessary for a web design proposal. Hire a good lawyer to draw these up, which in legal terms can show how scope creep can be dealt with.

4) Plan

Draw up an Action Plan that deals with every situation and shows the path to be taken when executing the project. Always plan before hand and anticipate problems.

5) Explain Scope Creep to the Client

Use verbal communication to explain scope creep and its troubles to the client, a proposal is not always self-explanatory.

Defensive Measures: Fix what has already happened. Here’s how:

6) Immediately Address Scope Creep

Be prompt in this, never let scope creep linger on. Have a friendly conversation with the client about the contents of the scope and help them understand it effects.

7) Make Recommendations

Make the client understand, through recommendations that the additions in request aren’t necessary. Offer honest expert advice to repress scope

8) “Phase II” Defensive Strategy

When the client offers credible ideas, advise them to include these in the second phase of the project. This way the original project stays the same, designer gets a new project and the client gets more creative ideas for the

9) Keep Track through Project Management

Always keep track, as scope creep is a very disruptive distraction from the primary goal of the project. Software such as Basecamp can helps outline the goals, long term vision and to-do items of the project to keep track.

10) Choose Legal Route

Consider this the last straw, but if all options strike out remind the client, gently, the terms and conditions of the proposal.

Author bio
The article was written by Patricia, a web designer at key difference