What is the term used to describe a project's uncontrolled growth beyond its original objectives?

The term that describes a project's uncontrolled growth beyond its original objectives is "scope creep." Scope creep occurs when new features, tasks, or requirements are added to a project after the initial planning, leading to an increase in the amount of work required without a corresponding increase in resources, time, or budget. This phenomenon can disrupt project timelines and lead to confusion among team members, as the original goals become obscured by new requests and changes.

Understanding scope creep is vital for project management. It often results from a lack of clear project scope definitions and inadequate change control processes, which can lead stakeholders to make unplanned requests. Consequently, managing scope creep involves setting clear boundaries and maintaining communication with various project stakeholders to ensure that any changes are formally documented and agreed upon.