Project Change Control
Within the Project Change Control
Unlike EVM analysis, which is easy to quantify, project managers typically find it difficult to analyze change control systematically. While a project manager’s skills with scope, cost, and schedule may be more important in tracking a project’s progress, change control may be more dependent on a project manager’s people skills, such as human resource and communication management. One way to consider change is in terms of the resources that have already been allocated to the project’s work scope. Negotiations involving project managers, clients, the team, stakeholders, and sponsors are likely to result in any changes.
Communication is crucial in the change management process. Although much of this communication is informal, the project plan, progress reports, and change requests are three documents that are regularly utilized in change control. A project that remains true to its original concept does not require any changes or change management. It’s tempting to think of the project plan as a closed system. However, this technique does not allow for the necessary flexibility within the organization’s larger system (s).
Instead, the most effective project managers see the project plan like a map of unknown country. If all goes according to plan and no unexpected terrain is met, they will arrive at their destination on time. However, project managers must be diligent about disclosing the real course and timetable, as well as any unforeseen deviations. Status reports are an efficient way to inform all stakeholders on how the expected path compares to the actual path. Any concerns with a project’s scope, cost, or scheduling can be communicated early on with these reports, allowing the project’s optimal course to be redefined.
As the project advances, stakeholders may become interested in areas that are not on the project plan’s path. During the project, unexpected possibilities may arise, as well as unforeseen problems. Change requests can be used to change the path in this case. Stakeholders in the project frequently negotiate these requests. They could include adjustments to the project’s scope, timeline, cost, or quality.
Some of these demands may not affect a project’s resource requirements. In comparison to the project plan, a project might allocate more resources to information processing and less to collecting data. Other requests for changes may necessitate more time or money to complete the work.