Guide to Change Impact Analysis as per PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition

What is Change Impact Analysis?
Change Impact Analysis is a crucial process in the Project Change Control. It involves assessing the potential implications of a change on the project's objectives, deliverables, schedule, cost, and resources.

Importance:
Performing a Change Impact Analysis helps project managers better understand the consequences of changes, mitigate associated risks, ensure alignment with project objectives, and maintain control over the project.

Working:
It begins with identification of a proposed change. The change is analyzed for potential impacts on different components such as project scope, timeline, budget, and risk management. The result helps in deciding to accept or reject the proposed change.

Exam Tips:
Understanding Change Impact Analysis is integral to answer questions regarding it in an exam. The key to answering these questions is to understand the potential impacts a change could have on different aspects of the project and how these changes might be managed or mitigated. Remember that not all changes are negative and can often lead to improvements.
Tip 1: Understand the difference between a change request and a change order.
Tip 2: Remember that the primary purpose of a Change Impact Analysis is to assess potential implications of a change on the project.
Tip 3: Look out for questions asking about how different changes could impact a project’s scope, schedule, cost and quality.
Tip 4: Be prepared for questions where you have to decide whether to accept or reject a change based on its potential impact.