Mission creep [ˈmɪʃən kriːp] is a term used to describe a gradual expansion of objectives or goals beyond what was originally intended. The word "mission" refers to a goal or purpose, while "creep" implies a slow, incremental change. The spelling of the word follows the conventional English spelling rules, with the "ss" in "mission" and the double "ee" in "creep" representing the long vowel sound. The phonetic transcription [ˈmɪʃən kriːp] provides a helpful guide to pronunciation for those who are unfamiliar with the term.
Mission creep is a term used to describe the expansion or proliferation of goals, objectives, or tasks in an organization or project beyond its original or intended scope. The term originated in a military context but has since been adopted in various other fields. It refers to situations where the original mission or purpose of an operation gradually expands or evolves beyond its initial boundaries, often in an incremental manner.
In military terms, mission creep occurs when a military operation, initially authorized for a specific purpose or objective, gradually extends beyond its intended goals, often resulting in the deployment of additional resources or forces. This expansion may be the result of unforeseen circumstances, changing priorities, or a lack of clear strategic planning.
Beyond the military context, mission creep can apply to any situation where an organization, project, or individual starts to take on new responsibilities, tasks, or objectives that were not part of their original mandate. This can occur due to various reasons, such as evolving goals, changing circumstances, stakeholder pressures, or lack of clarity in the initial mission statement.
Overall, mission creep implies a shift or deviation from the original focus, often resulting in an organization or project being stretched thin, loss of efficiency, unclear objectives, and potential overall failure due to an inability to effectively manage the expanded responsibilities. Consequently, organizations and individuals must be vigilant in monitoring and controlling mission creep to ensure that their resources and efforts remain aligned with their core goals and objectives.
The term "mission creep" originated in the United States and has its roots in military jargon. Its etymology can be traced back to the military lexicon of the 1990s.
The word "mission" is derived from the Latin word "missio", meaning "sending". In military contexts, a mission refers to a specific task or objective assigned to a military unit or individual.
The term "creep" in this context came from the verb "to creep", which means to gradually and insidiously move or extend forward into an undesirable direction or beyond its original boundaries.
When combined, "mission creep" refers to the gradual expansion or broadening of an organization's objectives or scope beyond its original mission or purpose. It signifies the unintentional shift or expansion of goals, often resulting in an organization spanning into unrelated areas or becoming involved in activities beyond its original intent.