International Project Management Association (IPMA) Practice Exam

At what project stage is the risk of scope creep the highest?

1. Initiation

2. Planning

3. Execution

4. Closure

The correct answer is: Execution

The stage where the risk of scope creep is the highest is during execution. This is primarily because, at this point, the project is actively being carried out based on the plans developed during the planning phase. During execution, team members and stakeholders may identify new ideas, requirements, or changes that they believe could enhance the project or address unforeseen challenges. As these additions are proposed, they can lead to alterations in the original project scope. If these changes are not adequately controlled or managed, they can result in scope creep, which entails continuous or uncontrolled changes that can jeopardize timelines, budgets, and overall project success. Effective change management processes, clear communication, and stakeholder alignment are essential during this stage to mitigate the risk of scope creep and maintain project focus. In contrast, the initiation, planning, and closure stages have their respective challenges, but they do not typically present the same level of risk for scope expansion as the execution stage does. In initiation, the project scope is still being defined; in planning, the scope is outlined and detailed; and by closure, the project is wrapping up, often with any necessary changes having been previously managed.