Mission creep

Mission creep is a process, by which a campaign or mission’s objectives escalate over time by gradual, almost imperceptible degrees, often with undesirable consequences, because the resources for the mission lag behind those required for its successful completion. The expression is American, and dates from around 1990. It was first used in a military context, but has since migrated to business and other contexts. It was officially incorporated into the US Army Field Manual in February 2003, defined as “a change in mission for which the unit is not properly configured or resourced.”