Welcome back to design horror stories, First name / scoobies!

 

Today, we’re stepping into the lab, where a seemingly simple website project takes a dark turn. Let’s dive into the scientist’s log to see how it all went wrong.

Experiment Log: Day 1
The project begins. My objective is clear: a clean, functional website for our nonprofit. The formula seems perfect—easy navigation, streamlined pages, and a clear call to action. A simple, user-friendly site that will make it easy for people to donate online. I’m optimistic. What could go wrong?

 

Day 3
A new idea emerges: a fancy animation. "This will impress visitors," I think. I add it to the homepage. It's just a small change, surely harmless.

 

Day 5
More ideas flood in. A gallery page! A donation meter! A blog section! One by one, I add them to the site. The homepage grows longer, more complex. But it's all for the cause – more content must be better, right?

 

Day 7
The layout is shifting. Each new element demands space, so I start tweaking the design to accommodate it all. New tabs, drop-downs, and buttons. The website is evolving, mutating. "More features means more engagement," my fellow nonprofiteers tell me, as the site becomes more elaborate with every tweak.

 

Day 10
Complete chaos. The site has spiraled into utter madness. What was once a simple, elegant design has mutated into an unrecognizable tangle of features and bloated pages. The user experience? A labyrinth of confusion. Navigation? Buried under a heap of endless options.

 

Scope creep has completely taken over—ideas upon ideas, stacking up like a teetering tower ready to collapse. My original vision is long gone, suffocated beneath the sheer weight of too many ideas. My once-beautiful creation is now a monstrous, uncontrollable beast, devouring everything in its path!

 

Abstract:
In this experiment, scope creep occurred when new features and ideas were added to the website, leading to a complicated and inconsistent user experience. What started as a clean, functional site became a bloated, overwhelming mess that drove the scientist mad.

 

Scope creep happens when too many features are added without direction, leading to a messy, inconsistent user experience and headaches for your team.

 

To prevent this, use Dai Clegg's MoSCoW method to prioritize ideas into clear categories (shoutout to Laura Quinn for sharing this method in her newsletter, the Nonprofit Website Insider):

Whether you’re working solo or in a group, using the MoSCoW method ensures that you focus on what matters most and manage your website project efficiently. Make sure this document is easy to update and access throughout your project!

 

Final Findings:
With the exciting promise of a new website, it’s easy for ideas to multiply within your team—each one feeling like the perfect addition. But unclear internal expectations can turn a simple project into a chaotic, never-ending mess.

 

By applying the MoSCoW method, you can prioritize the essential features while ensuring your team talks about their vision for the website before you start planning. If you ignore your website goals, it’ll develop a mind of its own and take over your lab.

 

Until the next experiment, First name / friends, may your website be free of the dreaded scope creep! Next week: we’re going out of this world 👽

P.S. I know it’s tempting to add those flashy features to your website, First name / my friend, but trust me: more isn’t always better and more importantly – can stall out progress. The key to a successful website is keeping things focused and functional. Stick to the plan, or you might end up with a website that’s oozing unnecessary features, spilling over into a chaotic mess 🦠

 

P.P.S. Monthly giving is one feature worth prioritizing—no scope creep here! If building or relaunching your monthly giving program is on your radar for 2025, sign up for Dana Snyder's Monthly Giving Mastermind! I’ll be your website designer, ensuring we stay focused and avoid distractions.😉 Apply by Tuesday, October 29 and we’ll kick off in January!