Scope Creep Examples — Web design
A second brand direction, after the first was already approved
The client signed off on a brand direction in writing. Weeks later they ask to see a completely different concept explored "just to compare."
Brand concepting included two directions presented, with the client formally approving one in writing to move forward into full design. Three weeks later, deep into applying that approved direction across the site, the client asks the team to also mock up a second, entirely different concept "just to compare" — not a revision of the approved direction, a whole new one, after sign-off, from scratch.
Clause typically implicated
Clause typically implicated
Acceptance testing clause→ — A written approval is meant to be a real decision point — reopening a fully separate concept afterward is treated as new scope, not a revision of what was approved.
Suggested change-order wording
Suggested change-order wording (illustrative, not legal advice)
Direction A was formally approved on [date], and we've been building the site around it since. Exploring a full second direction from scratch at this stage is a separate concepting effort, not a revision of the approved work — I can scope that as additional work at [X], or we can continue confidently with Direction A as signed off. Which would you like to do?
How this usually resolves
Naming the specific approval date and reminding the client what they signed off on is usually enough on its own — most of the time this request comes from a moment of pre-launch doubt rather than genuine dissatisfaction, and simply reaffirming the approved direction resolves it without needing to actually build the second concept.
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