What is Change Control?

 

Change Control is the process that a company uses to document, identify and authorize changes to an IT environment. It reduces the chances of unauthorized alterations, disruption, and errors in the system. 

 

Why Change Control?

 

Whenever any new or different changes are requested for the system, especially by stakeholders, it is neither optional nor ignorable. It has to be implemented without affecting other components of the system. This is when the change control comes handy. It helps project teams to modify the scope of the project using specified controls and policies. Change Control is practiced whenever a project is not progressing as planned. 

It is mandatory that a formal document for change request is completed and reviewed in order to keep control of change requests.

Number of question one might encounter while analyzing Change Control like 

• Who will approve the change?

• Does it require to run through a change control board?

• How much time will be required to research and implement the change?

• What are the impacts of changes to other components of the system (schedules, cost, resources, etc.)?

• Is there any threshold under which the project manager can approve it?

 

Different factors of Change Control process

 

There are various factors that a Change Control process should consider