What are the earliest signs of scope creep?

The earliest signs include informal requests for 'small additions' that bypass the change request process, an increasing number of undocumented requirements emerging in discussions, or a growing backlog that doesn't align with the initial SOW. New features being debated without a formal impact assessment are a strong indicator.

How can resource misalignment be identified before it causes significant delays?

Look for team members consistently working overtime, a backlog of unassigned critical tasks, and frequent complaints about technical blockers due to skill gaps or unavailability. High defect rates in specific areas or recurrent delays in tasks requiring particular expertise are also key signals.

What are concrete steps to improve project communication?

Establish a clear communication plan specifying meeting cadences, reporting formats, and decision-making protocols. Use a single source of truth for all project documentation. Encourage direct, critical feedback and ensure project managers actively facilitate open discussion, documenting key outcomes and action points for all stakeholders.

When should I consider a formal project rescue?

Consider a project rescue when multiple critical warning signs persist, such as significant unmanaged scope creep, consistent budget overruns, repeatedly missed major milestones, or severe team disengagement and communication breakdown. If internal attempts to regain control fail, external intervention may be required to get the project back on track.

Talk to an expert

Issue 039PositionGovernanceRef 153

How to spot a commerce project that is about to drift

Spotting the early warning signs of a drifting commerce project, particularly in complex Adobe Commerce or B2B platforms, enables timely intervention. Understanding common pitfalls in scope, resource allocation, and communication is key to preventing delays and cost overruns.

Neil Boughton· Technical Director

21 Sept 20254 min readReviewed September 2025

"Observe the number of unapproved feature requests being discussed in daily stand-ups or informal meetings; this is a primary warning sign of project drift."

Written by

Neil Boughton

Technical Director

29 years at iWeb

LinkedIn →Speak with Neil about your brief →

Neil leads platform architecture and integration strategy at iWeb. He has designed ERP and commerce integration patterns across manufacturing, wholesale and retail, and writes about operational resilience, release governance, observability, and the infrastructure decisions that determine whether large programmes stay stable under pressure. Bias toward durable, measurable systems over architectural theatre.

Next step

Take this conversation private.

If this note matches the brief on your desk, the version we'd write for your platform, sector and trade-account model is the work itself. Send a short brief and a senior lead replies inside 48 hours.

Talk to an expert Back to The Record →

Operational notes worth reading next.

SEO for builders merchants: branch pages, product hubs and the site architecture that ranks

How to plan an ecommerce MVP properly

When Shopify, BigCommerce or commercetools are the right answer

A regular round-up of new notes.No content marketing.

Take this conversation private.

A regular round-up of new notes.
No content marketing.