Definition of Change Request

A Change Request is like asking for a detour on your project journey. It's a formal way of saying:

Hey, we need to change something about our project plan!

This could be anything from adding a new feature to your product, extending a deadline, or even reducing the project's scope.

Imagine you're building a treehouse.

You've got your plan all set out: it's going to have four walls, a roof, and a ladder. But halfway through, someone suggests adding a slide.

That suggestion? That's a change request!

Here's why change requests are important and how they work:

1. They keep changes organized: Instead of making changes randomly, change requests provide a structured way to propose, evaluate, and implement changes. This helps prevent chaos and keeps everyone on the same page.
2. They help assess impact: When a change is proposed, the project manager can evaluate how it might affect the project's scope, timeline, budget, and quality. It's like checking if adding that slide to your treehouse means you'll need more wood, time, or money.
3. They prevent scope creep: By formalizing the change process, you can avoid the project slowly growing beyond its original boundaries without anyone noticing.
4. They involve stakeholders: Change requests often need approval from key stakeholders. This ensures that important project decisions aren't made in isolation.
5. They create a paper trail: Documenting changes helps you understand how and why your project evolved over time. It's like keeping a diary of your project's growth.

The change request process typically looks something like this:

1. Initiation: Someone (a team member, stakeholder, or customer) proposes a change.
2. Logging: The change is formally documented.
3. Evaluation: The project team assesses the change's impact on the project's critical path, work breakdown structure, and milestones.
4. Decision: Stakeholders decide whether to approve, reject, or defer the change.
5. Implementation: If approved, the change is incorporated into the project plan.
6. Review: The team monitors the impact of the change.

Remember, not all change requests will be approved.

Some might be too costly, time-consuming, or risky. The key is to have a fair, transparent process for considering and implementing changes.

By using change requests effectively, you can keep your project flexible and responsive to new needs or circumstances, while still maintaining control and direction. It's all about finding the right balance between sticking to the plan and adapting when necessary.

So next time someone suggests a big change to your project, don't panic! Reach for your change request process and navigate that detour like a pro!