# mission creep (drift)

*Ordinarily means:* a project slowly expanding beyond its original goals

drift of a parameter that narrows the window because the self-model of the system no longer matches its actual boundary

- Computed level: L15 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: drift nobody noticed  ·  Arena: emergence

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [drift](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-drift.aimless), [window](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-window.range), [boundary](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-boundary.limit), [self-model](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-self-model.reflexive)

**Through:** phrase.emergence_lexicon_entry

**Novel properties:**
- emergence.novel_properties

## Examples
- The F-35 program's initial air-to-air combat role expanded to include ground attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare, doubling development time. *(engineering)*
- UNIFIL’s 1978 mandate to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon grew to include civilian aid and border monitoring after 2006 hostilities. *(institutions)*
- Windows 10's 'Recommended' apps feature began with app suggestions but later included ads and third-party promotions without user consent. *(computing)*

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-mission-creep.drift*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-mission-creep.drift.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*