The issue of feature creep, where additional feature requests are added over time, is common to the majority of software projects. For developers who don't have a huge amount of experience in managing software projects, it becomes very easy to let feature creep get out of control by not realizing what is happening and/or being too polite to the customer. Feature creep becomes a serious issue where:
The client is paying a fixed price for the work, meaning that additional features are outside the scope of the project's price quote and therefore means you are giving free labor.
A completion deadline is part of the agreement, especially where there is a bonus involved or where the client has grounds to take legal action for late delivery on the basis of damage to the client's business.
There are many reasons why feature creep occurs on software projects, and knowing their cause allows you to identify the most appropriate actions to resolve them as they occur. The following are common...