Change Log
A change log is a comprehensive list of all change requests submitted during the project, along with their current status (approved, rejected, or deferred) and key details.
Explanation
The change log serves as the project's official record of all change activity. Each entry typically includes a unique identifier, a description of the change, the requester, the date submitted, the impact assessment results, the decision (approved, rejected, or deferred), the decision date, and the implementation status. The change log is a project document, not part of the project management plan.
Maintaining the change log is critical for project transparency, audit trails, and stakeholder communication. When stakeholders ask about the status of a requested change, the change log provides the answer. It also helps the project manager track whether approved changes have been fully implemented and validated.
The change log is updated throughout the project whenever a change request is submitted or its status changes. It works alongside the change management plan (which describes the change control process) and the configuration management plan (which tracks the state of deliverables). Together, these components ensure that all changes are systematically managed and traceable.
Key Points
- •Records all change requests and their dispositions throughout the project
- •Includes unique ID, description, requester, impact assessment, decision, and status
- •A project document, not part of the project management plan
- •Essential for audit trails, stakeholder communication, and implementation tracking
Exam Tip
The change log captures the status of every change request. The change management plan describes the process for handling changes. Know the difference — the log is a record, the plan is a process description.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Change Requests
A change request is a formal proposal to modify any document, deliverable, or baseline on a project. Change requests include corrective actions, preventive actions, defect repairs, and updates.
Perform Integrated Change Control
Perform Integrated Change Control is the process of reviewing all change requests, approving or rejecting changes, managing changes to deliverables, project documents, and the project management plan, and communicating the decisions.
Issue Log
An issue log is a project document used to record and monitor all issues — problems, gaps, inconsistencies, or conflicts — that arise during the project and require resolution.
Configuration Management
Configuration management is the collection of procedures used to track project artifacts and monitor and control changes to these artifacts, ensuring that the description and functional characteristics of deliverables remain accurate and complete.
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