Quick Win Ways To Mitigate Feature Creep


The task of adding more features to software is like a maze game. The end question that leaves everybody wondering is “How the hell did this functionality come here?”. Famous by various other terms like, “Scope creep”, “requirement creep”, refers to unforeseen requests for the addition of features that are not listed in the project scope. 

A software, undergoes countless brainstorm sessions, rigorous testing in IT environment management and then comes to the production. 

A project manager gets almost doomed on finding out that some extra functionalities need to be added when the deadline is just a week away. In this whole scenario, the new code keeps piling up the existing ones, and as a result, the software becomes tough to configure. 

Instead of getting the “Wow” feedback, you start getting “Oh, it’s difficult to navigate”, “This functionality is not working” so on, so forth. This situation where it becomes tough to find out the root functionality of the software is termed as feature creep. 

This insidious process hits your project and harms it. Fortunately, enov8 brings down to you a list of considerations that will save you from burning the entire project budget and not meeting project deadlines. 

Knowing the Users:


With a glut of users arriving on your software, it is imperative for you to know who they are, how they roam, and what they do after integrating the software. You should be aware of the XYZ number of users who are on it and also ask them for valuable feedback. We know this one is tough but isn’t it necessary if you are up to making a relevant product? Let’s dig deep to understand people better. 

  • For betterment, you need feedback and suggestions. Have an integrated feedback loop in your software that allows an easy way to the users for providing feedback.
  • Your prime dictum in getting the feedback is, to improve. When you have received the feedback, try to validate, evaluate them either via mail or through a phone call. 
  • Follow your users! Yes, literally follow them. Their actions, expectations, and purchases help you to understand what features are missing on your software. Working upon them, you can increase engagement and give them a seamless experience. Ensure that your audience has a beautiful experience while going through your software.
  • End-user testing is also an important aspect of the development process. Make sure, you have a strategic test data management in place for the same. 

Have a clear Development Plan:



Your navigation within the software should be crystal clear like a diamond. When you have feedbacks in hand, addressing them becomes much easier. Keep things as simple as possible. A simple software design yet functional is very much in demand. The only way to understand this is, try wearing the user’s shoes and examine. For this, follow the below mentioned steps:

  • A smart team of developers would easily understand the feature requirements and user stories. An excellent team is a must for bringing out clarity in the development plan. 
  • A well-versed developer tends to work on complexity and knows better, how to implement a complex feature without hampering the other requirements.
  • You should validate the development plan utilizing use cases. Pass through all the scenarios and start implementing future features. 
  • Implement the features using smartness. Ask these three questions, “Does the software really needs this?”, “Will it help my users?”, “how many users will benefit from the feature?”. 
  • If required, remove some unnecessary features from the software. Examine the feature set and analyze. Remember, there should be a strong reason behind feature existence. A random placement will not do. 
  • If required, go through Google’s analytics. Determine which features are best used and which are getting out of trend. 

Be a step ahead of the client’s vision:



Even if you feel like the client for whom you are working is expecting more from the software, jot the requirement down. Being prepared with such a list, helps you achieve milestones faster. This way, you can also schedule the priority tasks and come out with a marvellous software. 

Don’t be shocked, Accept that Feature creep may happen:



The main reason why failure happens is, we think everything is done for preventing the feature creep. But wait... Is it really? Accept that feature creep is a natural part of the development and may come into the picture even if you have covered millions of things. So, the only ultimate way is… be prepared for bringing in some more changes into the software. Before taking any step forward, research properly before committing. We Hope these considerations presented by enov8 would help you to mitigate the feature creep from happening.

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