Gold Apr 2026
: Ensure all team members have access to the project plan, risks, and estimations so they know when to stop refactoring. Gold Plating - Coding Horror
: Adding extra features outside the agreed-upon scope. : Ensure all team members have access to
: Follow official change procedures if new features are actually necessary. : A lack of clear analysis can lead
: A lack of clear analysis can lead teams to build "fancy" features that don't address the customer's primary needs. Why Gold-Plating Occurs : Deliver value through a
The phrase in feature development refers to the act of adding unnecessary features or enhancements to a project that were not in the original scope. While often done with the intention of delighting a client, it is generally considered a negative practice in project management because it can lead to increased costs, schedule delays, and unnecessary complexity. Why Gold-Plating Occurs
: Deliver value through a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to identify what the customer truly needs first.
: When the scope of a project grows uncontrollably due to external requests without corresponding increases in budget or time.