Scope creep is one of the most common — and costly — challenges in capital projects, yet it’s often misunderstood. Changes can stem from late operational input, missed technical details, evolving requirements, or well-intended ideas introduced too far into execution.

In this conversational, fireside-style webinar, leaders from the owner, design-build, automation, and media perspectives unpack how scope creep shows up in real projects. Panelists will clarify the differences between scope creep, scope misses, and intentional scope adds, explore why certain disciplines (like automation, low voltage, HVAC, and OT infrastructure) are especially vulnerable, and discuss practical ways to manage stakeholder input, contingency, and contractor capacity.

Drawing from experience on a 900,000-square-foot Uncrustables® manufacturing facility in Alabama, leaders from The J.M. Smucker Co. bring real-world scale to the conversation on scope, planning, and execution—grounding the discussion in the realities of large, complex food manufacturing projects.

Attendees will leave with clearer language, better guardrails, and realistic strategies to make smarter decisions early — and avoid expensive corrections later.

Key Takeaways:

• Not all change is the same: Learn how to distinguish between scope creep, scope misses, and intentional scope adds — and why using the right language matters for cost, schedule, and decision-making.
• Scope creep often starts early, not during construction: Late operational input, visualization gaps, and under-defined technical systems are common root causes.
• The right people matter at the right time: Effective projects balance broad input early with clear decision rights as execution approaches.
• Contingency is not a wish list: Understand how contingency should be used — and how misuse creates downstream financial and execution risk.
• Execution capacity matters: Significant scope changes can strain contractor bandwidth, increasing the risk of delays, quality issues, and rework.

Speakers:

Brad Borkowski

Director – Project Engineering 

The J.M. Smucker Company 

Brad Borkowski is Director – Project Engineering at The J.M. Smucker Company with 40 years' experience in food manufacturing engineering and operations. He oversees major capital projects, including two recent greenfield ventures worth over $1.3 billion. Brad has an MBA from Old Dominion University and a BSEE from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology.  

Tim Barthel 

Executive Vice President

Cybertrol Engineering

Tim Barthel is the Executive Vice President for Cybertrol Engineering, where he has worked since 2007. During his years at Cybertrol, Tim started out as a Project Engineer doing automation projects, and has served as the project lead for a number of multimillion-dollar projects. Tim is involved in developing best practice automation solutions for existing and potential customers. He specializes in plantwide operational design approaches with totally integrated automation and information systems for greenfield facilities or existing plant upgrades. Tim regularly presents at major conferences on these topics and collaborates with industry partners to ensure Cybertrol provides best practice solutions for our clients.

Tim holds an Electrical Engineering Degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE).

Chris Morse

Junior Partner, Project Manager/Process Engineer

Dennis Group 

Chris is a Project Manager / Process Engineer with over 30 years of experience, who joined Dennis Group in 1994. His expertise lies in process engineering for distilled spirits and baked goods manufacturing plants. Chris is well-versed in project execution of process centric projects, which includes the generation of P&ID’s, process specifications, piping material selection, bid packages (including both process and utility equipment/piping), equipment rigging packages, commissioning plans and plant start-up procedures.

Chris’s project management experience includes generation of budgets, project schedules and procurement activities such as negotiating purchase documents for technical and commercial acceptance. He has had numerous field assignments which have included overseeing the construction/equipment installation phase through the plant commissioning and start-up phase.

Mike Leonard, Moderator

Publisher 

BNP Media

Mike is a Group Publisher at BNP Media. With multiple brands immersed in the innovation, manufacturing and packaging segments of the Food & Beverage industry BNP Media is first in class. Despite over 30 years in the business Mike continues to learn and witness extraordinary advancements in the industry. As Publisher of Prepared Foods, Food Engineering and Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, Mike gleans insights impacting product innovation, manufacturing, and the cold chain.