MVP Scope Creep: How to Prevent It

Scope creep is the #1 killer of MVP timelines and budgets. Here's how it sneaks in and how to stop it.

How Scope Creep Happens

• •"While we're at it, let's also add..."
• •Competitor launches a feature you don't have
• •User feedback before launch (you haven't validated anything yet)
• •Stakeholder has a new idea
• •Developer suggests "improvements"
• •Fear that the MVP isn't enough

Warning Signs

• •Feature list growing after week 1
• •Moving deadlines
• •Budget conversations getting uncomfortable
• •Original problem getting fuzzy
• •Discussing features for "later" during MVP phase

Prevention Tactics

Before You Start

• •Define MVP scope in writing, signed off by everyone
• •List features explicitly NOT included
• •Agree on a change request process
• •Set a hard deadline that doesn't move

During Development

• •Every new idea goes to a "v2 list"—not MVP
• •Weekly scope check: is anything new creeping in?
• •Cost every change request in days and euros
• •Ask: does this help us validate the core hypothesis?

The One Question Test

For every proposed addition, ask: "Will we fail to validate our idea without this?" If no, it's not MVP.

When to Allow Scope Changes

• •Critical bug or security issue discovered
• •Payment provider requires additional flow
• •Legal/compliance requirement identified
• •Core user flow simply doesn't work