Variations, scope creep, and gold plating are three similar – and somewhat overlapping – terms. Let’s untangle them. Oh yes: and let’s not forget White-gloving!
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Variations
Let’s start with variations.
These are changes – to the scope, specification, schedule, or anything else. The implication, however, is that they have been approved through a change control process. But, to me, the use of the term ‘variation’, rather than ‘change’, implies a contractually sanctioned change. When two parties to a contract agree a change, the contractual mechanism is a ‘Variation Order’ or VO.
Scope Creep
However, sometimes someone requests changes that work their way into your project schedule, without being approved.
And, of particular consequence, this means that there is no extra budget or time allowance, to support these changes. This means our ability to deliver what has been confirmed will be compromised. This is a big risk to your project.
When these are changes to the scope of your project, we call this ‘Scope Creep’.
Likewise:
- Adding extra features without sanction is called feature creep
- Adding to the timeline is Schedule Creep
- Adding to the budget is Budget Creep
I am sure there are more!
Gold Plating
Early in my career as a consultant, I worked with the UK rail industry. They had a term: ‘the Gold-plated railway’. It referred to the tendency for engineers to specify features and standards that exceeded the industry’s requirements. It made for better engineering, I am sure. But it also added costs for which there were not adequate benefits to the users.
The term, ‘Gold Plating‘ refers to adding features, services, or tolerances to a project that the client or users haven’t asked for.
Let’s remember that quality management is part of our roles, as project managers. But this does not mean that we only need to ensure that we do not let quality slip below specifications. If we create a level of quality or a specification that exceeds what is specified by our client or sponsor, then the additional cost will not deliver extra benefit. This will be a failing.
If you or members of your team attempt to gold-plate your project, without approval from your client or sponsor, you are exposing yourself to the risks of:
- Schedule overrun
- Cost overrun (which you won’t be able to recover from the client)
- Setting unrealistic expectations
- Breaching trust
White-gloving
Another related term is white-gloving. This refers to giving special care and attention to something – often as part of a service. We like it when our project teams offer special attention to the details of how they deal with us and our precious project. But, when that is focused on the wrong things at a cost to attention to what matters, it becomes a problem. A good example might be the overly deferential treatment of specific stakeholders.
In Summary
- Variations are approved changes.
- Scope Creep is an unapproved change to scope.
- Gold-plating is adding features that no one has asked for.
- White-gloving is meticulous attention to a service or interaction.
Recommended Articles and Videos to Help with Variations and Scope Creep
Carefully curated video recommendations for you:
- What is Project Scope? | Video
- The Basics of Scope Management: How to Manage Scope | Video
- ‘Could You Just…’ How to STOP Scope Creep | Video
- Establish Project Scope: How to Master Your Toughest PM Challenge
- Scope Management Plan: Everything You Need to Know
- What is a Variation Order (VO)? | Video
Recommended Videos to Help with other Tricky Distinctions
What’s the difference between…
- Risk Appetite – Risk Tolerance – Risk Capacity?
- Organizational Change and Business Transformation?
- a Scrum Master and a Project Manager
- Resource Leveling and Resource Smoothing?
- Fast Tracking and Crashing?
- Milestone or Deadline?
What Kit does a Project Manager Need?
I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own.
Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs
Note that the links are affiliated.
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For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
