Analyzing Scope Creep

This week's assignment is to post a blog using the following as a guide. Describe a project, either personal or professional, that experienced issues related to scope creep. What specific scope creep issues occurred? How did you or other stakeholder deal with those issues at the time? Looking back on the experience now, had you been in the position of managing the project, what could you have done to better manage these issues and control the scope of the project?

Several years ago, I was working for an early childhood program as a developmental therapist. Every year, the program offered a graduation celebration to all children that finished the program. Since we were inviting families with children that turned three years during the school year of the celebration, the list of families rose  close to 80. One of the biggest issues was the financial part we were in a non for profit organization, and funds were always scarce. It was my second year working for the organization when I was appointed to lead the project. My job was to find donors willing to help with most of the expenses in order to have a successful celebration. The funds available from the program were very limited compared to all needs to have a celebration for the families. The primary goal was to recognize the parent's participation receiving therapeutic services for their children, and share information that could be encouraging and meaningful other families. The activities were to offer a breakfast for each child and primary caregivers participating in the program. It was require to have a speaker to talk and motivate the families to keep advocating for the children's needs and rights. Each was going to receive a certificate for participation in the program, and two parents were going to share their thoughts about the services received from the intervention program.

I was able to have the celebration done with success. However, I could not sleep well for more than one month, and at that point I, was very stress. I had support from ten co-workers (team project members). Six team members did a good job completing their assignment three did not complete their part, and one person resigned from her position during the project. I had to complete the part from three team members that did not complete their part using the lack of Spanish language as an excuse, and take over the part of the person leaving the program.

Looking back, I can see how I could avoid too many stress and a few hours of rest. Now I understand how important is to develop a statement of work to outline the purpose, objectives, constraints, and assumptions. I knew that some people were suppose to help me (supporters) during the project, while others were just observers, and a few were taking the role of drivers. I could have implemented the use of a work breakdown structure. Absolutely the use of a linear responsibility chart could be of considerable assistance. I spent too much time on tasks that could be assigned to some other team members, and focus on the significant risks.