# What is scope creep? | Annsa

> Scope creep is work growing after it was agreed without the deadline or effort changing with it.

Source: https://annsa.ai/glossary/scope-creep

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Glossary · Scope creep

## What is scope creep?

Scope creep is work growing after it was agreed without the deadline or effort changing with it.

## In practice

It arrives as extra edge cases, more polish and “1 small thing.” No single request looks unreasonable. 15 small yeses can turn 2 weeks into a quarter.

Scope creep isn't the same as deliberately changing your mind. A change is a decision. Creep happens when nobody makes one.

## Why it matters for product builders

Write down what is out of scope. A named exclusion is harder to add back quietly.

## What changes in AI-first products

The cost of adding scope fell faster than the cost of owning it. An agent may build the extra case in an afternoon, making “yes” feel harmless.

Maintenance, explanation and eventual removal still accumulate. AI changes the first invoice, not the lifetime cost.

\*\*Source note\*\*

The \[PMBOK definition\](https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/top-five-causes-scope-creep-6675) describes scope creep as adding features and functionality without addressing the effects on time, costs and resources, or without customer approval.

## Sources

Larson and Larson, PMI Global Congress 2009 [Top five causes of scope creep ... and what to do about them ](https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/top-five-causes-scope-creep-6675)

Quotes the PMBOK Guide, "adding features and functionality (project scope) without addressing the effects on time, costs, and resources, or without customer approval".

Last reviewed 2026-08-21

## Read next

[Glossary PRD (Product Requirements Document) ](https://annsa.ai/glossary/prd-product-requirements-document) [Glossary Acceptance criteria ](https://annsa.ai/glossary/acceptance-criteria) [Glossary Product requirements ](https://annsa.ai/glossary/product-requirements) [Guide Definition of done for AI agents ](https://annsa.ai/guides/definition-of-done-for-ai-agents)

[Browse the glossary ](https://annsa.ai/glossary)

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