Cesar FiestasTechnical Project Leader| Intuitive ProjectsNewport Beach, Ca, United States
Team,
I hope everyone is doing terrific!..How do you handle out of scope "changes" on a project?...
Do you document them and continue with the project?
Do you document them and charge a fee for the changes? Or
Do you not do anything and continue with the project?
Yes, I understand that in some cases and based upon the size of the project, the client, etc, perhaps an "out of scope" change should not incurred a fee but regardless of the situation a change most likely may increase resource hours and in some cases may even delay the project.
So what is your rationale when it comes to handling a change or at least what is the minimum a project manager should do if this happens. Saving Changes...
Great question. This is a big problem: Scope Creep.
How do you handle out of scope "changes" on a project?
Change Control Board (or Steering Committee, or PMO)
Some projects or companies require unanimous, some majority
...
Do you document them and continue with the project?
They should require time & cost & Scope estimates, the vote approval by CAB or PMO, before change.
Some companies lacking PMPs pressure staff to make unapproved changes without CAB/PMO approval, for free, or else; this is wrong since it violates PM guidelines, and impacts scope time cost and delays project.
Do you document them and charge a fee for the changes?
If CAB/PMO approves change, yes.
Do you not do anything and continue with the project? (see above)
Some cases based on size of project, client, etc, perhaps "out of scope" change should not incur fee but regardless of situation a change most likely may increase resource hours and in some cases may even delay project.
I disagree. I see your point, you are saying that non-PMPs try to pressure unapproved changes for free.
So what is your rationale when it comes to handling a change or at least what is the minimum a project manager should do if this happens.
Notify Management, CAB/PMO ASAP, in concise emai of verbal change request that was requested. Ask them if they want to add to list of changes to be reviewed by CAB/PMO. If so they will ask someone to estimate impact on scope, time, cost, deadlines.
Auditors require all changes to be approved by CAB/PMO before starting. THey will check, and if not, someone will get in trouble.
You think the person who ordered you to make the change unauthorized, will defend you?
If they force you to make unapproved changes, get it in writing in advance from management in advance before starting change Saving Changes...
Henry HattenrathProject Consultant| Tectonic Engineering MSA LLCNew York, Ny, United States
My experience is founded as an employee of an Owner in the rail transit project domain. The project and program of projects were well defined and integrated into a twenty year capital program plan of continuous investment. As a result, project management staff was obligated to maximize use of internal labor forces, materials and equipment, supplement execution with design services and construction contracts, and to diligently control changes and that would adversely impact the cost budget and schedule of the project and the successor and predecessor projects, which were tightly integrated into a critical path Master schedule. The PMO and corporate governance provided project management the authority to maintain project progress and the interdependencies in the program of projects. As a result, project management staff was trained to say no unless there was overwhelming backup to justify the change to senior PMO staff as well as program and corporate governance. Saving Changes...
