Project change management minimizes the impact of design changes on meeting project deadlines. A predetermined plan handles changes systematically, evaluating their impact and implementing them if they add value and don’t require major modifications. Key stakeholders approve change orders, and unnecessary changes are resolved later.
Project change management is a process that allows teams to make changes to a project as needed. The objective is to minimize the effect that changes to designs can have on successfully meeting project deadlines. Proposed changes are examined to determine the level of risk in modifying the design. Once it is determined that the change adds value and does not require major modifications, it is implemented. If the proposed change is necessary but requires modifying the project plan, a change request is submitted by the requester, typically a team member or the customer.
Some issues or requests for changes to a project plan are often unavoidable. Typically, a project change management plan is predetermined before the project begins. This allows for a systematic way to handle project changes and make revisions that advance project goals and objectives.
When changes to designs are proposed, the impact of modifying the change is evaluated. Having a project change management plan can provide cohesion to ensure the completed project meets the customer’s needs. The influence of a proposed design change is typically analyzed for one of three outcomes:
First, the suitability of the requested change is considered. The change request is measured against whether or not the change will occur without modifying the project plan. A change can be implemented as quickly as possible if factors such as customer criteria, project scope, schedule, or budget do not require modification.
Second, change may be appropriate, but it requires modifying the project plan. A project change management order is usually completed by the requester. The Change Order describes the proposed change and defines the areas of the project that are impacted. This information may include details of costs and potential risks to project deliverables. The project manager incorporates the change and amends the project plan to reflect the changes.
Finally, it may be decided that some changes proposed by the customer or a team member are unnecessary to adopt. It may be determined that implementing the change does not add value to the project. In this case, the request is moved to the project’s issues list and resolved with the requester later.
Key project stakeholders are usually responsible for the project’s change management process. Typically, the project manager and sponsor—the liaison between management and the project team—must approve the change order before changes to the project can occur. Customers must also sign off if the proposed changes affect them.
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