{"id":186470,"date":"2024-02-27T16:21:47","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T16:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=186470"},"modified":"2024-10-23T01:58:46","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T00:58:46","slug":"contracts-reduce-risk-scope-creep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/commercial-contracts\/contracts-reduce-risk-scope-creep\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can Your Contracts Help Reduce the Risk of Scope Creep?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Scope creep can be a frustrating problem for suppliers of services. Typically, scope creep is where a project’s scope increases. For instance, a project plan changes when a customer requests more work than they have paid for. Issues over scope creep can lead to mismatched expectations and complaints from customers. This article will explore how using a contract can help reduce the risk of scope creep with business customers<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Scope Creep?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Typically, scope creep occurs when there is an increase or expansion in the services the customer requires from a supplier. This often changes the original scope, requiring extra work or project objectives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scope creep can result from poor communication with customers or the lack of a change control process in a contract<\/a>. It can also occur when a detailed scope of work is not agreed upon, meaning the customer does not believe their requests constitute scope changes or additional work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, imagine you are an accountant delivering a self-assessment tax return filing for your client. It turns out your client has unexpected complications and requires detailed tax advice whilst you are completing their tax return. The client may think that this advice is covered within the service and for the cost of the tax return. This is scope creep, however, and you would likely need to charge separately for this advice. This may be difficult to explain to the customer if your contract with them fails to specify the precise scope of your engagement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scope creep will inevitably occur from time to time. Not every customer will know precisely what services they need from the outset, and their requirements may change over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, scope creep can create various risks, which we will explore further below.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Contracts Reduce the Risk Of Scope Creep?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Contracts are vital documents for legal protection from risk<\/a>. Scope creep is a crucial risk which arises in commercial relationships. For instance, scope creep can lead to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n