Managing changes to the project schedule systematically.
This topic explains the process of controlling schedule changes through a formal change control system. It covers how to evaluate change requests, update the schedule baseline, and communicate changes to stakeholders.
5 minutes
5 Questions
Change Control and Schedule Updates are vital processes in project management for maintaining schedule integrity. Change Control involves formal procedures to review, evaluate, and approve or reject changes to the project schedule baseline. This systematic approach requires: identifying proposed changes, assessing impacts, obtaining approvals, and documenting decisions. When changes are approved, they become part of the updated baseline against which future performance is measured. The Change Control Board (CCB) often serves as the authorizing body for schedule modifications. Schedule Updates, on the other hand, represent the actual implementation of approved changes and regular progress tracking. These updates reflect real-world execution compared to the planned schedule. Updates include recording actual start/finish dates, remaining durations, percent complete figures, and resource utilization. Schedule updating provides critical data for performance analysis using earned value techniques and other metrics to assess schedule variance and forecast completion dates. For PMI Scheduling Professionals, these processes require careful documentation, stakeholder communication, and technical expertise in schedule management tools. Effective change control prevents "scope creep" while allowing necessary adjustments. It maintains the schedule as a credible management tool by ensuring all changes follow established protocols. The schedule professional must also understand organizational change thresholds - which modifications require formal review versus those handled at the project manager level. Together, these processes balance schedule discipline with the flexibility needed in dynamic project environments. They support schedule integrity while acknowledging that projects rarely execute exactly as planned. When implemented properly, they provide transparency, accountability, and reliable performance measurement throughout the project lifecycle.Change Control and Schedule Updates are vital processes in project management for maintaining schedule integrity. Change Control involves formal procedures to review, evaluate, and approve or reject changes to the project schedule baseline. This systematic approach requires: identifying proposed ch…