What is a primary concern associated with requirements creep?

A primary concern associated with requirements creep is cost overruns and project delays. Requirements creep refers to the gradual expansion of project requirements beyond the original scope, often without proper control or approval. As new features or functionalities are added during the development process, they can lead to increased complexity, which typically results in the need for additional resources—be it time, budget, or personnel.

When project teams have to accommodate new requirements, it often leads to rework and can disrupt schedules, which in turn causes delays in delivery. Costs escalate because more work is required to manage and implement these new specifications, potentially pushing the project’s budget beyond its initial estimates. Thus, managing scope and adhering to well-defined requirements is crucial in project management to mitigate these risks.