Dealing with Scope Creep / Change Request
A client or stakeholder requests significant changes to the project's scope, potentially impacting the timeline and budget. The project manager and team need to analyze the request, discuss implications, and formally propose how to manage the change or politely decline while offering alternatives.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
scope creep
This term refers to the gradual expansion of a project's requirements beyond the original plan, often causing delays or extra costs. It's common in project management when clients add new features unexpectedly.
change request
A formal proposal from a client or stakeholder to modify the project's scope, timeline, or budget. In business English, you use this when discussing adjustments to a project plan.
overhaul
To completely change or renovate something, like a system or process. It's used in professional contexts to describe major updates, such as 'a complete overhaul of the software.'
rebuild
To build something again from the beginning, often implying more effort than just fixing it. In tech projects, it means starting over, like 'rebuild the app from scratch.'
implications
The possible effects or consequences of an action. In meetings, say 'assess the implications' to discuss how a change might affect time or money.
enhanced
Improved or made better in some way. Use this in business to suggest upgrades without full changes, like 'an enhanced version of the dashboard.'
phased approach
A method of implementing changes in stages or phases, rather than all at once. It's practical for managing risks in projects, as in 'a phased approach to updates.'
feasible
Possible to do easily and practically, considering time and resources. In discussions, use it to describe realistic options, like 'a more feasible alternative.'
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I just received a significant change request from the client that could impact our current project scope.
This sentence introduces a problem in a meeting. It's useful for starting discussions on changes; note the structure 'received a [adjective] [noun] from [person] that could [verb] [object]' to explain potential effects clearly.
Did they give any specific reasons for such a drastic change?
A question to seek clarification. It's practical for probing details in professional talks; uses 'give any [adjective] reasons for [noun]' pattern, helpful for intermediate learners to ask about motivations.
We need to assess the full implications on our timeline and budget.
This expresses the need for evaluation. Useful in project meetings to highlight risks; grammar point: 'assess the [adjective] implications on [noun1] and [noun2]' shows how to connect multiple impacts.
Would a complete redesign provide a disproportionate benefit compared to iterative improvements?
A hypothetical question for opinions. Great for debating options; note comparative structure 'compared to [noun]' and 'disproportionate benefit' to discuss value versus effort in business English.
We could offer them an enhanced version with new modules for the requested tracking, instead of a full redo.
Proposes an alternative solution. Practical for suggesting compromises; uses 'instead of [noun phrase]' for contrasts, and 'enhanced version with [adjectives] [nouns]' to describe improvements.
Proposing an alternative, phased approach would be a good strategy.
Suggests a plan forward. Useful in team collaborations; gerund 'proposing [noun]' as subject, and 'would be a good [noun]' for polite recommendations in meetings.
We'll present the significant impact of the full overhaul, provide a revised timeline and budget for that option, and then propose Emily's enhanced module approach as a more feasible alternative.
Outlines action steps. Excellent for summarizing plans; parallel structure with 'present... provide... and then propose' lists actions clearly, ideal for formal responses in project management.
Let's make sure to highlight the value of the enhanced option in terms of still meeting their core needs.
Emphasizes key points. Useful for closing discussions; 'make sure to [verb]' for reminders, and 'in terms of [verb-ing] [noun]' explains benefits, common in persuasive business talk.