Project Management ToolBox, 3rd Edition

12CHANGE MANAGEMENT

When it comes to managing a project, the one constant you can count on is change. Changes happen, or attempt to happen, at a constant pace on projects. Throughout a project’s life cycle, the need and desire for change will come from project team members, the project sponsor, senior leaders, customers and clients, and other project stakeholders.

Each change has the potential to modify the project, whether it is the scope, schedule, cost, resources, or other changes. Most changes impact more than just one objective. Therefore, change management is necessary to determine if each change is necessary, how it will impact the work, and ensuring each necessary change is implemented properly.

Without change management we can get uncontrolled scope change, commonly referred to as scope creep, missed milestones, budget overruns, and unhappy stakeholders.

To help you manage change, this chapter provides high-value tools that should be a part of every project manager’s PM Toolbox for establishing and performing project change management activities.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Managing change on a project cannot be handled in an ad hoc manner, regardless of the size or complexity of the project. Change management requires the establishment and use of an effective Change Management System.

The Change Management System is to process, document, approve, and manage changes. The Change Management System defines how changes to the project will be managed once a project baseline ...