← Remote Work Glossary

Scope Creep

The gradual expansion of a project's requirements beyond what was originally agreed, often without more pay or time.

Scope creep is when a project quietly grows — extra features, "small" additions, shifting goals — beyond the original agreement. For freelancers and contractors it is a major risk, eroding profit as unpaid work piles onto a fixed fee.

The defence is a clear statement of work and a habit of flagging out-of-scope requests as separate, billable additions. Naming it early keeps projects (and relationships) healthy.