Scope Creep - Keeping the Enemy at Bay — Flaps 2 Approach

The Swiss Army pocket knife. How many tools does one want? Where do you stop? The knife does not have a fork or spoon (D-M Commons, Wenger EvoGrip S17, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Scope Creep is a term often used in management to define the continuous growth of a project both in expenditure and time.

This phenomenon can occur when the scope of a project is not properly defined, documented, or controlled. It is generally considered a negative occurrence, to be avoided. This said, scope creep can add benefits to a project ultimately making the end product far better than otherwise anticipated.

Typically, the scope increase consists of either new products or new features of an already approved product design, without corresponding increases in resources, schedule, or budget. As a result, the individual risks drifting away from the original purpose and scope into unchartered territory. As the scope of a project grows, more tasks must be completed within the budget and schedule originally designed for a smaller set of tasks. Accordingly, scope creep can result in a project overrunning its original budget and schedule.

Guilty as Charged...

Am I guilty of scope creep - a resounding YES. It can be difficult to maintain your original project scope, no matter how well defined at the onset of the project; new parts, better technology, better methods to accomplish tasks, and experience are all potential budget breakers...

Scope creep has a nasty habit of sneaking up on you unaware - a few dollars here and few dollars there, a yes to this and a yes to that, and before you know it, you are over committed and over budget. Scope creep rarely is caused by the vendor, it is more the territory of the seller or manufacturer. Most of us have bought a motor vehicle, and have driven the car home with the addition of a tow bar, roof rack, and high fidelity stereo system - all absolutely essential according to the car salesperson...

Although the simulator will be more feature rich, reliable and aesthetically pleasing, it's important to always keep a firm hand on what your original project lines were, and try not to stray too far from your goals. There is always something greener on the horizon, and whilst it can be tempting to stray beyond the fence to savour the new grass, always ask yourself - is this going to improve the outcome of what I set out to do and is the extra expense worth the outcome.

Time, or lack of

A second conundrum that simulator builders often face is time, or lack of. Everyone except the very young and the retired are impacted by time.

Remember, Rome was not built in a day and many simulators can take 3-4 years until reasonably complete.

Whether we like it or not, the process of research, procuring parts, and construction takes an inordinate amount of time, and if left unchecked will also cost you an inordinate sum of money...

Just a few thoughts to think about.