Part 2: Salesforce Implementation Challenges

Managing Scope Creep and Change Requests

Scope creep and change requests can be major budget-busters in any Salesforce implementation. They often occur when additional features or changes are requested after the project has started, leading to increased costs and extended timelines. While it’s natural for requirements to evolve, managing these changes effectively is crucial to maintaining control over your project budget.

I once worked on a Salesforce project where the client’s needs evolved significantly after the initial planning phase. What began as a focused implementation quickly became a sprawling project with numerous additional features and integrations. Each new request required extra time for development, testing, and implementation, ballooning the budget and stretching the project timeline far beyond the original estimate.

Here’s how to manage scope creep and handle change requests without derailing your budget:
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• Define a Clear Scope Upfront: Establish a detailed project scope at the outset, including specific deliverables, timelines, and budget constraints. Ensure all stakeholders agree on this scope and understand that changes may impact costs and timelines.
• Implement a Change Management Process: Create a formal process for managing change requests. This process should include a system for submitting, reviewing, and approving changes. Ensure that all changes are documented and assessed for their impact on the project’s scope, timeline, and budget.
• Evaluate Change Requests Thoroughly: Before approving any changes, evaluate their impact on the project. Consider factors such as the additional development work required, the effect on the overall timeline, and the potential costs involved. Communicate these impacts to stakeholders so they can make informed decisions.
• Prioritise Changes: Not all changes are equally important. Work with stakeholders to prioritise changes based on their impact and value. Focus on high-priority changes that align with the project’s goals and provide the most significant benefit.
• Manage Expectations: Set realistic expectations with stakeholders about the potential impact of changes. Ensure they understand that adding new features or modifying may result in additional costs and extend the project timeline.
• Monitor and Control Scope: Regularly review the project scope and track any changes to ensure they are being managed effectively. Keep a close eye on project milestones and budget to identify any deviations early and address them promptly.

In another project, I helped the client navigate scope creep by setting up regular review meetings to discuss potential changes. These structured discussions allowed us to assess the impact of each request and adjust in a controlled manner. This proactive approach helped keep the project on track and within budget.

​By implementing effective scope and change management practices, you can better control your Salesforce implementation project, avoid unnecessary costs, and ensure that your project stays aligned with its original goals. Managing scope creep effectively allows you to focus on delivering the core objectives while accommodating necessary changes in a structured and budget-conscious manner.

With Salesforce projects, the risk and cost of changing the scope increases rapidly with the size and complexity of the overall solution. All proposed changes MUST be assessed for impact: design, permissions, layouts, licences, integrations, testing, data migration, and training.​ Good luck!

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