What does 'scope creep' refer to in contract administration?

Scope creep in contract administration refers to the phenomenon where additional features or tasks are added to a project beyond what was originally agreed upon in the contract, without corresponding adjustments to the budget, resources, or timelines. This often leads to projects being more complex and potentially exceeding their allocated budgets and timeframes.

When scope creep occurs, it can impact the overall success of the project and lead to disputes between stakeholders about what was originally included in the scope of work. Properly managing scope is crucial for project success, and understanding the implications of unexpected additional tasks helps contract managers maintain better control over project deliverables and stakeholder expectations.

The other options do not accurately represent the concept of scope creep. A defined project completion scope refers to having clear boundaries for what the project includes, which is the opposite of scope creep. Strict adherence to project timelines indicates following the schedule without deviation, while the elimination of project phases suggests cutting parts of the project altogether, neither of which align with the idea of unplanned additions to the project scope.