What term describes the gradual expansion of a project's scope without specific authorization?

The term that describes the gradual expansion of a project's scope without specific authorization is "scope creep." This phenomenon occurs when additional features, tasks, or changes are added to the project without corresponding adjustments to time, resources, or budget. Scope creep can lead to project delays and increased costs, as the original project plan is affected by unplanned changes that are not formally documented or approved.

Understanding scope creep is vital for project management, as it emphasizes the importance of adhering to a well-defined project scope and the necessity of a formal change control process. This helps ensure that any modifications to the project are properly evaluated and approved, allowing for better resource management and maintaining the project's overall objectives.

Other terms like project expansion, scope increase, or requirement drift may relate to changes in project dynamics but do not specifically capture the unauthorized nature of changes as effectively as scope creep does.