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Change Log Template
Next to “love”, “change” is high up on the list of topics to write songs about. For example,
- The Times They Are-A-Changin’ - Bob Dylan
- Changes - David Bowie
- Change the World - Eric Clapton
- A Change Would Do You Good - Sheryl Crow
It’s almost like these artists wrote theme songs for your project status meetings!
The point is that change is everywhere. Positive or negative changes occur in ourselves and others, in our relationships, in politics, in the economy, and definitely on our projects. It’s a rare project, that after months of progressive elaboration, would not end up differently than was originally planned.
So, how do you keep up with all this change? Use The PMO Squad’s Change Log template!
Why use a Change Log?
There are a number of reasons to use a change log. For example, a change log:
- Tracks Changes - A change log is a systematic way to record all changes that occur on a project. Memories are short and it’s easy to forget why a particular change was made. A change log documents these changes and the rationale behind them.
- Drives Accountability - A change log also provides an excellent audit trail on who did what and when. If a change log is filled out properly, there won’t be any guesswork on who requested a change, who approved the change, and who implemented the change.
- Assesses Impact - Nobody works in a vacuum, and that’s especially true of our projects. Regardless of how small the change may seem, it will almost always have an upstream or downstream impact. A change log gives everyone visibility into the change being requested, so that they can adjust accordingly.
How Do You Use the Change Log?
The following steps will help you get the most of using a change log:
- Capture Requests - First, you’ll need to develop some type of intake process to capture requests. It could be The PMO Squad’s Change Log itself, or, you could set up an online form based on the template. Regardless, make sure all fields are filled out with enough information for approvers to make a decision.
- Review, Evaluate, Decide - Next, review and evaluate the changes that are being requested. Good questions to use for the evaluation process are how much will this cost, how long will it take, who does it, what’s the impact to other projects, and what would happen if we don’t do this. Then, based upon this evaluation, decision makers can Approve, Reject, or Defer the change.
- Implement the Change - If the change is approved, then it’s time to update the project plan to get the work done. Resources may need to be reallocated, schedules changed, or more people brought on board for the original date to stick. Once a new plan is in place, manage it just like any other part of the project plan.
- Update the Change Log - Finally, once the change is complete, it’s time to update the change log. Include who made the change, when it was complete, and any notes that could help someone down the line understand nuances around the change. Likewise, if the change was Rejected or Deferred, the change log should be updated with that information as well.
And, with all of the steps above, make sure to communicate what is being done to everyone involved in the project so there are no surprises.
Get Started Today!
Ready for a change? If not, you will be after you use The PMO Squad’s Change Log template. The Change Log template will make it easy for you to capture, assess, and implement any changes that come your way.
And, don’t change that station. “Everything Has Changed” by Taylor Swift is up next!
Download the Change Log