Managing and controlling changes means handling proposed modifications to the project in a disciplined way. This includes executing the change control process, communicating change status, implementing approved changes, and updating project documentation.
Change control does not mean rejecting all changes. It means evaluating changes, understanding their impact, making decisions through the appropriate process, and keeping documentation current.
Why This Task Matters for PMP® Preparation
PMP® exam questions often describe stakeholders requesting changes, team members implementing changes without approval, or project conditions requiring updates to scope, schedule, cost, quality, or other elements. The best response usually follows the change control process.
You should be ready to distinguish between a change request, an issue, a risk response, and normal adaptive refinement. The exam often tests whether you know when formal change control is needed and when adaptive planning is appropriate.
Enablers of This Task
- Execute the change control process.
- Communicate the status of proposed changes.
- Implement approved changes to the project.
- Update project documentation to reflect changes.
To learn the Manage and Control Changes task, you need:
- In the PMBOK Guide 8th Edition, read chapters 4.1, 4.2, 4.5.4 (part ‘Standard’), 2.1.6.8 (part ‘PMBOK’), Section 4 (Change management plan, Configuration management plan, Change log, Change requests), Section 5 (Change control tools, Data analysis, Decision-making, Integrated change control, Backlog management).
- Read chapter 6 in the Agile Practice Guide.
- Watch the video:
5. Test your knowledge to complete the study of the task.