This is a FREE Change Management Plan Template in Word and PDF. The template is fully editable with Microsoft Word and can be converted or changed to suit your project.
See what is in the Template! Check out the Contents complete with Hints and Tips on how to use.
What is the Change Management Plan in Project Management?
The Change Management Plan is a PMBOK document which defines the
change control
process and describes how it will be managed. It also documents the roles and responsbilities of the
Change Control Board (CCB).
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In practice, the plan explains how changes to scope, schedule, cost, quality, or requirements are raised, assessed,
approved, and implemented. It sets out the steps for submitting a change request, how impacts will be evaluated,
and who has authority to approve different types of change—so changes are controlled rather than disruptive.
Once developed and approved the Change Management Plan is not typically changed as it specifies the management of changes.
The changes themselves will be submitted to the
Change Control Board (CCB)
via a Change Request Form
and then logged on a Change Log.
For smaller projects the Change Management Plan can be combined with the Configuration Management Plan.
The contents of the Change Management Plan Template
Project details and document control
Provide information on the project and document:
Project Name and Reference
Document information: ID, owner, issue date, last saved date, file name or path
In this section explain what a change is as opposed to an expected variance. It is likely that you will refer to the project’s cost, schedule and scope tolerances aka variance thresholds in this section. For example, cost variances of less than 1 percent might not require change control. Refer to the project management plan for the variance thresholds.
List the members of the change control board along with their role, responsibilities and sign-off authority. You might also identify any person they delegate their authority to if they are not available.
Name
Role
Responsibility
Authority
Board member's name
Their role in the board
The responsbilities and tasks required of the role
The persons sign-off authority i.e. what changes they can approve
Describe how change requests are submitted, including which form or system is used and any unique ID or referencing that is used. Include who will receive the change requests and if any change type will be routed to differently e.g. cost changes might go to project accounting.
Document the possible statuses that a change can have once it has been reviewed for example, accepted, deferred or rejected.
Change Control Meetings
Change Control Meetings are for evaluating changes, creating options, and preparing change requests for submittal to whoever has authority to approve those changes (PM, Change Control Board, or sponsor).
Document the meetings that will be held to manage changes. For example, this may include meetings to prepare changes for submittal to the board along with the board meetings. Include the meeting:
Frequency
Attendees
Timings and location
Details of the Scribe, what information will be captured, and how actions will be monitored.
