When this matters
Small requests arrive after scope is agreed. Some are new requirements, some are defects and others are clarification. Treating all of them as the same kind of change makes a commercial conversation harder.
Evidence to bring
- The agreed scope, its effective date and the commercial baseline.
- Added or reopened work items and the source records explaining why they changed.
- Available cost inputs, rates and effort assumptions for the affected work.
See which tools connect directly and which import by CSV on the Integrations page. Check integration availability.
How to work through it
- Establish the baseline before comparing it with current work. State where the original record is incomplete.
- Review added scope, reopenings and extra review against their source evidence. Separate candidate changes from confirmed additions.
- Estimate or reconcile the associated effort and cost, then agree the treatment of further work with the client.
An illustrative review
Example figures for illustration.
| Recorded evidence or stated assumption | What it supports |
|---|---|
| A fictional engagement starts with 40 agreed work items. | A count baseline, not a statement that all items have equal effort. |
| Six items arrive later; two correct defects and four add requirements. | Four candidate scope additions after reviewing their purpose. |
| The four additions are estimated at 24 hours at $100/hour. | A $2,400 estimate, not a recorded cost or an approved charge. |
The next decision
Agree whether to change scope, fee, timing or priorities before allocating more capacity. Preserve the evidence and assumptions used in that decision.
What the evidence cannot tell you
Reopened work is not automatically chargeable scope expansion. A margin estimate also depends on complete revenue and cost inputs; missing costs must not be treated as zero.
AI analysis in ScopeWorth is optional and billed in credits. Evidence, cost attribution and reports work without it. Compare plans and limits.
Questions about this workflow
Is every ticket added after scope lock scope creep?
No. A new ticket may document existing work, correct a defect or split an agreed item. Review its purpose and the baseline before classifying it.
Can ScopeWorth guarantee that margin will improve?
No. It supports earlier visibility and commercial decisions. Margin depends on agreed revenue, actual costs and how the engagement is managed.