Gold plating in project management refers to the practice of adding features, enhancements, or deliverables beyond what was originally agreed upon—often without the client’s request or approval. While it may seem like a gesture of goodwill or an effort to exceed expectations, gold plating can result in wasted resources, scope misalignment, and unnecessary complexity. Understanding what causes gold plating is essential for project managers aiming to maintain focus, efficiency, and alignment with project goals.
1. Over-Eagerness to Impress Clients
One of the most common causes of gold plating is a desire to impress stakeholders. Teams may believe that going beyond the defined scope will strengthen client relationships or showcase their expertise. While well-intentioned, this approach can backfire if the added features fail to meet the client’s actual needs or lead to delays and cost overruns.
Solution: Instead of adding extras, focus on delivering high-quality work that meets the agreed-upon requirements. Regular communication with stakeholders ensures they are satisfied without surprises or unnecessary additions.
2. Misinterpretation of Client Needs
Gold plating often arises when team members interpret client needs too broadly or incorrectly assume that extra features will provide added value. Without verifying these assumptions, teams risk introducing elements that do not align with the project’s objectives.
Solution: Establish clear requirements during the project planning phase and validate assumptions with clients before making any changes. Regular check-ins and feedback loops can help ensure alignment.
3. Lack of Clear Boundaries
When project scope is not well-defined or enforced, teams may feel free to introduce additional features or enhancements. This is particularly common in organizations where project goals are fluid or where stakeholder requests are not properly filtered through a change control process.
Solution: Clearly define project scope at the outset and implement a robust change management process. Any modifications to the original plan should require formal approval and adjustments to the timeline or budget.
4. Cultural Pressure to Go Above and Beyond
In organizations where going “above and beyond” is encouraged, team members may equate success with exceeding expectations. This mindset can lead to gold plating as employees add extras to demonstrate initiative or outshine peers.
Solution: Foster a culture that values meeting project objectives with precision and quality. Recognize and reward adherence to scope, timelines, and budgets rather than efforts to over-deliver.
5. Overconfidence in Team Capacity
Sometimes, gold plating happens because teams believe they have the time, resources, or expertise to add more than required. While this may seem harmless initially, unplanned additions can introduce risks, such as technical issues, delays, or burnout.
Solution: Maintain realistic assessments of team capacity and project timelines. Encourage teams to prioritize deliverables that align with the project’s core objectives and to avoid unnecessary enhancements.
6. Fear of Stakeholder Disappointment
Teams may engage in gold plating to avoid disappointing clients or stakeholders, especially if expectations are unclear. This fear can drive unnecessary additions as a way to preempt potential dissatisfaction.
Solution: Manage stakeholder expectations through clear communication and transparency about what will be delivered. Address concerns promptly and ensure stakeholders feel involved in the decision-making process.
7. Lack of Strong Project Oversight
When project managers fail to closely monitor deliverables or enforce boundaries, gold plating can creep in. Without proper oversight, teams may feel empowered to make independent decisions about adding features or enhancements.
Solution: Implement strong project governance practices, including regular status updates, reviews, and approvals. Project managers should actively monitor progress to ensure the team remains focused on the defined scope.
The Impact of Gold Plating and Why It Matters
While gold plating might stem from positive intentions, it often results in unintended consequences:
· Increased Costs: Unplanned work can inflate budgets without delivering additional value.
· Delayed Timelines: Adding extras often stretches project timelines, causing delays.
· Misaligned Deliverables: Features that don’t align with client needs can detract from the project’s success.
By addressing the root causes of gold plating, project managers can ensure that teams remain focused on delivering what matters most: high-quality results that meet stakeholder expectations and align with organizational goals.