What do you do if your GIS project is experiencing scope creep?

1 Identify the causes

The first step to address scope creep is to identify the root causes of the problem. You can do this by reviewing the project scope statement, the project charter, the contract, and any other relevant documents. Look for any gaps, ambiguities, or inconsistencies that might have led to misunderstandings or unrealistic expectations. Also, talk to your client, stakeholders, and team members to get their feedback and perspectives on the project scope and progress.

2 Negotiate changes

The next step is to negotiate any changes that are necessary or desirable for the project. You should not accept any change requests without assessing their impact on the project scope, timeline, and budget. You should also document and communicate any changes clearly and formally, using a change management process. You should seek approval from your client, stakeholders, and team members before implementing any changes. You should also update your project plan, schedule, and budget accordingly.

3 Manage expectations

The third step is to manage the expectations of your client, stakeholders, and team members. You should communicate regularly and transparently about the project status, milestones, deliverables, and risks. You should also set clear and realistic expectations about what is in and out of scope, what is feasible and achievable, and what are the trade-offs and consequences of any changes. You should also establish and maintain a good rapport and trust with your client, stakeholders, and team members.

4 Control quality

The fourth step is to control the quality of your GIS project. You should ensure that your GIS data, analysis, and outputs meet the standards and specifications of your client and stakeholders. You should also follow the best practices and guidelines of your GIS software and tools. You should also perform quality checks and tests throughout the project lifecycle, using appropriate methods and metrics. You should also solicit and incorporate feedback and suggestions from your client, stakeholders, and team members.

5 Learn from experience

The fifth step is to learn from your experience with scope creep. You should conduct a project review or evaluation at the end or after the completion of your GIS project. You should identify the lessons learned, the successes and failures, the strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities and threats of your project. You should also document and share your findings and recommendations with your client, stakeholders, and team members. You should also apply your learning to improve your future GIS projects.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?