 feature creep, creeping featurism or featuritis is the ongoing expansion or addition of new features in a product, such as in computer software.  extra features go beyond the basic function of the product and so can result in over-complication rather than simple design. ==causes== the most common cause of feature creep is the desire to provide the consumer with a more useful or desirable product, in order to increase sales or distribution. however, once the product reaches the point at which it does everything that it is designed to do, the manufacturer is left with the choice of adding unneeded functions, sometimes at the cost of efficiency, or sticking with the old version, at the cost of a perceived lack of improvement. another major cause of feature creep might be a compromise from a committee which decides to implement multiple, different viewpoints in the same product. then, as more features are added to support each viewpoint, it might be necessary to have cross-conversion features between the multiple viewpoints, further complicating the total features. ===marketing considerations: product life cycle and the competition impetus=== a product typically goes through the general life cycle of introduction, growth, maturity and decline. the sony walkman can serve as a functional example whose life cycle is well-documented. ====introduction==== at the introduction stage, a manufacturer (sony) trail-blazes a new product (a portable cassette player with the trademark name "walkman") with the most basic feature set (play, pause, stop, fast forward, rewind, eject) in order to engage the consumer and support use and acceptance; meanwhile, competitors "wait and see" if the product will create a market worth investing in. ====growth==== with sufficient growth, competitors enter the space, providing choice to the consumer, often competing merely on price as a cheaper alternative to the flagship brand's product offering. ====maturity==== at the maturity stage, with competitive products occupying the space, new features are introduced ("auto-reverse", "stereo with extra bass", "shock proof for jogging", "waterproof in the rain"...etc.) in order to differentiate brands beyond merely price point, and to create brand demand over price demand. the trailblazer is looking to fend off the new challengers, while the new challengers are looking to get a leg up on the trailblazer. it is at this stage that a proliferation of features occurs most often. in some respects, then,
Anti-patterns Software_project_management Software_requirements