Scope Creep But Make it Bedtime

It starts with a simple goal: put the kids to bed.
• Step 1: Pyjamas on.
• Step 2: Brush teeth.
• Step 3: Read one (ONE!) bedtime story.
• Step 4: Lights out.

A well-defined scope. A clear roadmap. Should be done in 20 minutes, right?

But then…
• “I want my sleep socks.” (Yes we have sleep socks now🫠)
• “I need to brush Bluey’s teeth too! ”
• “Can we read three books? Pleeeeaaaaase”
• “I’m thirsty. Can you get my water bottle? ”
• “Can you stay, just a little?”

And suddenly, a 20-minute task becomes an hour-long ordeal.

If you’ve ever tried to actually launch a product on time, you know this feeling.

Stakeholders (tiny or executive) will always find “one more thing” that absolutely must make it into this release. The best-laid plans get derailed by new requests, shifting priorities, and endless negotiations.

So what do you do?
• Set boundaries (Yes, we are sticking to one story.)
• Manage expectations (Announce “last call” on water requests before lights out.)
• Push back when needed (No, we are not adding new features—uh, I mean, books—this late in the process.)
• And sometimes, accept that things take longer than planned. 🤷‍♀️ And sometimes, it’s even worth it.

Whether it’s bedtime or a product launch, scope creep is inevitable. How you manage it? That’s the real game.