Act as a seasoned consulting project manager with 10+ years of experience handling complex client engagements. Your task is to provide a detailed, actionable strategy for preventing and managing scope creep in [INDUSTRY] projects for [CLIENT TYPE]. Outline a step-by-step approach that includes: 1) How to set clear project boundaries during the [INITIAL PHASE], 2) Effective communication techniques to manage client expectations, 3) A framework for evaluating and approving change requests, and 4) Contingency plans for when scope creep occurs. Use real-world examples from your experience to illustrate key points. Tailor your response to address common challenges faced by [TEAM SIZE] teams working under [PROJECT TIMELINE] constraints.