Hello, I work at a large manufacturer for the transportation industry (US Based). Our company has recently revised the engineering change process. Going forward, the Project Manager is responsible for initiating all engineering changes. In the past, the engineering department initiated all engineering changes and PM was part of the approval process for cost, timing, & customer interface. My question is, now that PM is to initiate the engineering change, does this change my liability? If there is a future problem with an engineering change that I initiate, am I liable? Note: I am not the one doing the actual engineering work, this is still done by the engineering department. But I am the one requesting the change. Saving Changes...
Your business should have a governance document that describes who has authority for what, but I would generally say that you have no more liability than before. Typically, Engineering is responsible for the technical contents of their product definition changes. Your role as PM in this case is more administrative to initiate a change, I would assume to ensure it aligns with the project objectives and as a change process gatekeeper. Saving Changes...
Project Manager| AWR Development (BD) Ltd. Cox's Bazer , Bangladesh
This is a significant shift in responsibility for project managers! While initiating engineering changes may increase your involvement in the process, liability often depends on the specific circumstances and your company's policies. It’s essential to clarify your role and responsibilities with your management and legal team. Documenting all communications and decisions related to the changes can also help protect you. Have you had a chance to discuss this with your legal or compliance department?
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