What does the term ‘scope creep’ refer to in construction?

The term 'scope creep' in construction refers to the gradual expansion of project requirements beyond what was initially agreed upon in the project scope. As a project progresses, additional features, tasks, or deliverables may be added without proper evaluation or adjustment of the project's resources, timeline, or budget. This often happens when stakeholders or team members introduce new requests that deviate from the original plan, which can lead to challenges in project management, cause delays, and result in unexpected costs. By understanding scope creep, project managers can implement strategies to control changes and ensure that the project remains aligned with its original objectives.