Gold Plating: What It Is and How to Avoid It
In project management, the term "gold plating" refers to adding extra features or work that the client did not request in a project. Though it may seem like an attempt to please the client or enhance the project, it is most often characterized by wasted resources, delays, and scope creep. Therefore, understanding gold plating and how to avoid it is essential for the successful completion of projects.
What Is Gold Plating?
Gold plating occurs when a project manager or team member adds extra features or makes unnecessary alterations to a project after the client has already specified their needs. While this additional effort may be well-intentioned, it often leads to increased costs, extended timelines, and excessive complexity.
Why Is Gold Plating a Problem?
- Waste of Resources: Extra features or work not requested by the client lead to wasted time and money.
- Scope Creep: Gold plating may result in scope creep, where the project exceeds its initial objectives.
- Client Expectations: Adding features that do not add value may create false expectations with the client, leading to disappointment when certain features fail to work as expected.
How to Avoid Gold Plating
- Well-defined Project Scope: The scope of the project should be clearly defined at the outset. Always refer to the original scope to avoid straying off track.
- Controlling Client Expectations: Clearly communicate what is within the scope of the project and remind the client of the budget and timeline.
- Prioritizing Deliverables: Focus on what has been agreed upon. When new features are proposed, carefully assess the impact on the timeline and budget before agreeing to add them.
- Regular Reviews: Conduct regular project reviews to ensure the team is not adding features outside the agreed-upon scope.
Conclusion
Gold plating negatively impacts the budget and timeline of a project. Clear communication, managing expectations, and sticking to the project scope help avoid risks and ensure the successful delivery of the project.
