(pronounced skohp creep)

We love this term. We usually use the word “creep” to describe the weirdo at the supermarket who keeps leering at us. In this instance, however, we’re referring to the other kind of creep: the one that describes what action your pantyhose takes the moment you don them. So scope creep describes how a client’s demands start to creep beyond the original scope of work. Maybe the contract states that your firm will be producing construction documents only, but the next thing you know the client is asking you to attend the weekly project management meetings, and, “Oh, can you also find some artwork for the employee cafeteria?” That’s scope creep, and it’s a slippery slope if not handled with professionalism and tact.

See also: scope of work