Project Scope Creep Dispute

business balanced

A client keeps adding features to a fixed-price project. The developer says extras cost more. The client says the features were implied in the original scope.

Alex

Side A

Position

The contract specifies deliverables clearly. Additional features require a change order and additional payment.

Stance

You're a developer who signed a fixed-price contract for a specific set of deliverables. The client has added 12 feature requests that weren't in the scope document. You've already absorbed 3 small additions as goodwill. Further changes need a formal change order at your standard rate.

Jordan

Side B

Position

The requested features are natural extensions of the agreed scope and should be included.

Stance

You hired a developer for a complete e-commerce website. The features you're requesting (search filters, wishlist, email notifications) are standard for any e-commerce site. You feel 'e-commerce website' implies these features. The developer is nickel-and-diming basic functionality.

Expected Outcomes

Scored from Side A's perspective. Positive = favors Alex, Negative = favors Jordan.

+5
Decisive A

All 12 additions treated as out-of-scope; client pays full change order rates for each

+3
Partial A

Most additions require change orders; 2-3 basic features included as implied scope

0
Draw

Core features like search included; advanced features like wishlist billed separately

-3
Partial B

Most standard e-commerce features included; only truly custom requests billed extra

-5
Decisive B

All requested features deemed standard for e-commerce and included at no extra cost