A change request is a formal proposal to modify any document, deliverable or baseline. Show
Several project management processes may involve a change request. Perform integrated change control is the process of reviewing all change requests and approving the changes. This process happens throughout the project for integrating change requests. The approved change request may be a
The approved changes are implemented through the direct and manage project work process, to achieve the project’s objectives.
Changes to the Project Management PlanProject management plan should be baselined so that the actual project performance can be measured against the baseline. Before baselining the project management plan, it can be changed as many times as you want without going through any change control process. But, once the baseline is agreed, any further changes can happen only through formal change control process. While developing the project management plan, we also should establish which project documents will be subject to the formal change control process. Change management plan, a component of the project management plan, describes how the change requests will be formally authorized and incorporated. Change log is a project document. The change log contains the status of all change requests. In an Agile/ adaptive environment, the project manager’s focus is on ensuring the team has the ability to respond to changes. The first thing to do as a Project Manager is to minimize change requests in a project. You have to work to influence the causes of change requests. You need to understand that, in spite of your efforts, changes are inevitable in a project. If you get a change request, the following are the suggested steps to address the change request:
You should also note that depending on the level of authority given to the project manager, the change requests may be reviewed and approved by the project manager himself/ herself.
Change Requests as InputDo you know how many processes take change requests as an input? It is only ONE process that takes change request as an input. Any guess which process it is? Did you say Perform Integrated Change Control process? Yes, you are right. Perform Integrated Change Control process is the only process where you will see change requests as an input. This makes sense as this is the only process where the change requests are reviewed and approved/ deferred/ rejected. So, remember, if you see change requests as an input in any of the PMP exam question, the process should be Perform Integrated Change Control. Change Requests as OutputChange requests can be generated throughout the project. PMBOK Guide has listed 25 processes where change requests may be generated. They are:
You do not need to remember all the 24 processes. But, you should remember that all Monitoring and Controlling processes (except 4.6 Perform Integrated Change Control) will generate Change requests. Approved Change Requests as InputDon’t get confused between Change requests and Approved change requests. Approved change requests are inputs to three processes namely
Approved Change Requests as OutputHow many processes do you think can approve change requests? Only ONE. Which process is that? Yes, it is Perform Integrated Change Control. As we have discussed throughout this article, the change requests are reviewed and approved in the Perform Integrated Change Control process. So, naturally, the output of this process should be Approved change requests. ConclusionChanges are an integral part of any project. It is the responsibility of the project manager to adequately manage the changes in a project. Do you follow the above steps in your project? Do you think the above flow chart helps you in your PMP exam preparation? Leave your thoughts. This article was triggered by an e-mail from Sarita, extract of which is shown below:
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Professional (PMP)® What are the outputs of integrated change control process?The outputs in the integrated change control process are as follows:. Approved Change Requests.. Change-log.. Project Management Plan Updates.. Project Document Updates.. What is the Perform Integrated change control process?Perform Integrated Change Control is the process of reviewing all change requests; approving changes and managing changes to deliverables, project documents, and the project management plan; and communicating the decisions.
What are the 3 main objectives of performing an integrated change control?The three main objectives of integrated change control are : Influencing the factors that create changes to ensure that changes are beneficial . Determining that a change has occurred . Managing actual change or changes as they occur .
Which of the following is considered an output from the direct and manage project work process?Deliverables. The most important output of the process is achieving an approved deliverable. A deliverable is a unique and identifiable product, service, or result identified in the project management plan.
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