Overview
Change control establishes a process for reviewing all change requests (CR), approving and managing changes to:
- project products
- deliverables
- documents and
- communicating decisions.
Adherence to a change control process:
- helps prevent unauthorised changes
- minimises disruption to the project and
- ensures the necessary input and evaluation to support informed decision making.
Key activities
Change control management includes the following key activities:
- Change control planning – The change control plan is developed, describing the approach for change control management.
- CR initiation – Project change may be identified by any project team member or stakeholder.
- CR review – The change request is reviewed to determine its high-level impact on outputs, outcomes and benefits.
- CR analysis – If necessary, detailed analysis may be required. All options relating to the change are captured and evaluated. To be accepted, a proposed change should be beneficial, practical and affordable.
- CR decision – A decision is made based on analysis to approve, reject, defer or escalate the change.
- CR implementation – Project resources coordinate and carry out the actual changes outlined in the approved change request.
- CR closure – Once the changes have been completed, all change documentation is updated as necessary and finalised and the affected stakeholders are notified the change has been implemented.
- CR monitoring and reporting – Monitoring and reporting the status of change requests is continuous throughout the project.
Key outputs
- Change control management plan.
- Completed change request form(s).
- Updated project artefacts and deliverables.
- Changes to the project.
- Change request reports.