Change control

Question 1

Why do Changes occur?

Answer 1

• External influences - PESTLE
• New techniques appearing after the business case is agreed
• Efficiencies of process have emerged
• Changes to the benefits model
• Evolving designs and the emergence of new information
• Contractual changes

Question 2

Why is change control important?

Answer 2

• It manages all request change the baseline of the project
• It enables understanding of the impact on the outcomes of baselined work and supports decision making.
• Consequences of unmanaged change can be far reaching within the project environment

Question 3

Explain the 6 steps of the Change control process?

Answer 3

1. Change request - Enter on a log to record status
2. Initial evaluation - is the change even worth evaluating?
3. Detailed evaluation - Impact on time, cost, quality and benefits
4. Recommendation - Approve, reject, or defer
5. Update plans - If approved, modify plans
6. Implement - Implement the modified plans

Question 4

What are the features of a typical change request?

Answer 4

• Project overview
• Description covering the nature of what the change is
• Reason for the change
• Areas impacted
• Sources of change
• Change request owner
• Date raised and unique identifier
• Status of the change request
• Decision, date made and justification

Question 5

Which key factors of a project can change have an impact on

Answer 5

• Benefits
• Scope
• Schedules
• Costs
• Quality
• Resources
• Risks
• Stakeholders

Question 6

Name four key reasons why a change might be raised?

Answer 6

• A change in regulation
• To address Risk Profile
• To Address Customer needs
• To address Financial constraints

Question 7

Why must updates to the PMP be made if Change takes place?

Answer 7

• Team working from outdated info costs the project time and money
• Unnecessary conflict among team caused
• Solution could be redundant if outputs are aren’t delivered on time or fit for purpose
• Stakeholders could disengage - lack of confidence
• benefits in the business case may not be realised, impacting on ROI

Question 8

What impact does a Linear life cycle have on change control?

Answer 8

• Scope is agreed and plans baselined
• Change control implemented to control changes to baseline
• A change freeze may be required to prevent further change impacting the deliver of the objective

Question 9

What impact does an Iterative life cycle have on change control?

Answer 9

• Embeds change control into the development process - each iteration starts with a planning meeting to clarify goals and items to be delivered.
• Changes to existing features or the goals/items in that iteration can be considered alongside the existing requirements

Question 10

What are the four key advantages of Change control?

Answer 10

• Project scope is managed
• Everyone is clear about current baseline
• Record keeping, auditable
• Proper adjustment of expectations

Question 11

What are the four key disadvantages of Change control?

Answer 11

• Delays can cause frustration
• Friction between PM and user community
• Cost time and effort to implement
• Can seem bureaucratic

Question 12

What is the Change Impact analysis process?

Answer 12

1. Define the change
2. Identify the change’s impact
3. Evaluate the change’s level of impact
4. Develop an action plan