Change Request
A formal proposal to modify project scope, schedule, budget, or deliverables after the initial plan has been approved.
In-Depth Explanation
A change request is a formal document or process for proposing modifications to an agreed project plan. Change requests are essential for managing scope while maintaining project control and stakeholder alignment.
Types of change requests:
- Scope change: Adding, removing, or modifying deliverables
- Schedule change: Adjusting timelines or milestones
- Budget change: Requesting additional funding
- Resource change: Modifying team composition
- Requirements change: Updating business or technical requirements
Change request process:
- Submission: Document the proposed change, rationale, and expected impact
- Impact assessment: Evaluate effects on scope, schedule, budget, and quality
- Review: Change control board or sponsor reviews the request
- Decision: Approve, reject, or defer
- Implementation: Update project plans and communicate changes
- Documentation: Record the change for project history
Best practices:
- Establish a clear process before the project starts
- Define authority levels for different change sizes
- Assess cumulative impact, not just individual requests
- Track all changes for lessons learned
- Communicate approved changes promptly to all parties
Business Context
A structured change request process prevents uncontrolled scope expansion while ensuring legitimate changes are handled efficiently, protecting both timelines and stakeholder relationships.
How Clever Ops Uses This
Clever Ops uses a transparent change request process for Australian client projects. When requirements evolve, we document the change, assess impact on timeline and budget, and ensure client sign-off before proceeding.
Example Use Case
"Mid-project, a client requests an additional integration. The change request process assesses that this adds 2 weeks and $8,000 to the project, which the client approves after understanding the trade-offs."