Change of scope is more common than what we expect and perceive. It is important to change our perspective as analysts when internal/external customers suggest a change of scope. Its important to communicate (1) feasibility (2) realistic timelines (3) increase in man-days and cost (4) requirement of resources for any such change. This mitigates risks and bring clarity about deliverables.

When faced with scope changes in a project, it’s essential to act swiftly. First, reassess priorities to determine how the change impacts your timeline and focus on critical tasks. Next, communicate clearly with all stakeholders to keep everyone informed about the revisions and their implications. Be ready to leverage flexibility by reallocating resources or extending work hours if necessary. Additionally, document all changes thoroughly to maintain clarity and ensure everyone is on the same page. Finally, adopt a proactive approach by having a plan for managing scope changes before they arise, allowing you to adapt quickly and keep your project on track.

A prompt action is the first key step, the cost of delay caused by indecision is very high. A BA should immediately call for alignment on repriortization aligning all key stakeholders. Leverage MoSCoW or Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) to continuously adjust deliverables based on value and risk, ensuring high-impact tasks stay on track. Implement backlog grooming and sprint reviews, using velocity data to predict and mitigate delays from scope creep. Analyse historical performance data to recalibrate resource needs and workload distribution in real-time, preventing bottlenecks. Enforce change control protocols to lock-in timelines post-scope adjustment, ensuring accountability and focus.

Please let stakeholders know the impact of the change as soon as you learn that the timeline is in jeopardy. The bad news isn't fine wine...it doesn't improve with age. Get the information out there and empower people to make new and better decisions based on what we've learned as soon as responsibly possible.