In project management, what does the term "scope creep" refer to?

The term "scope creep" specifically refers to uncontrolled changes or growth in a project’s scope, often resulting from stakeholders adding new requirements or features that were not initially planned. This phenomenon can lead to several complications within a project, such as delayed timelines, increased costs, and resource misallocation. A well-defined project scope sets the boundaries for what is included in the project, and when this scope expands without proper control or assessment, it fundamentally disturbs the original project plan.

Successful project management involves strict monitoring of the scope to ensure that any additions or changes are formally requested, evaluated, and approved through a structured change management process. By understanding scope creep, project managers can mitigate risks associated with deviation from the planned outcomes and ensure that the project remains aligned with its objectives.

In the context of the other options provided, exceeding the project timeline indicates an issue but does not specifically point to scope management; overestimated project costs relate to financial planning but may not connect directly to scope management; and undocumented project tasks, while problematic, do not inherently involve changes in scope. Therefore, the emphasis on uncontrolled changes makes the second choice the most accurate in defining "scope creep" within project management.