Gold Plating / Apple Polishing means the provision of additional features/services to the project stakeholder/s outside the scope of the project plan.

 

Many Project managers believe doing an apple polishing attempt would enhance their relationships with the stakeholder/s and project owners and will contribute towards building a long term relationship in terms of future business opportunities with the parties involved.

 

However, there are serious consequences of this practice as well.

Invite the group to share their thoughts.

 

Cheers,

Tina

thanks tina... hi came thru this jargon in one of our business review meet and ii could not guess it out.. what the guy said and could not even ask him.. can u tell more about it?? how we actually start with it???

Hi Ashwin,

 

Gold Plating begins in the following situations:

1. When the project manager sees wooing more as an option for success than work
2. When the project manager is not able to meet one part of the project scope and tries hiding it by apple polishing the results achieved so far
3. When the project manager genuinely wants to go out of his way to please the requesting organisation

For eg: While designing a new part of the technology with pre-discussed features with the client, as a PM I decided to add an additional attractive feature without charging anything extra to the client.

 

Of course, there are much more reasons why a PM would opt for Gold Plating but these would give you a fair idea as to what is the term.

My personal view is Gold plating is not totally an untouchable concept. The prime objective of any project manager should be achieve his/her objectives listed in the project scope and then decide to leave a room for the term in the discussion.

It would otherwise be a sin to follow the principle of apple polishing without a clear understanding of project's direction and objectives.

Do let me know if you have any questions.

 

Regards,

Tina

While I'm preparing for the PMP exam, I learned that Gold Plating should be clearly avoided.