Track change requests for configuration items.

Change requests address not only new or changed requirements but also failures and defects in work products.

Change requests are analyzed to determine the impact that the change will have on the work product, related work products, the budget, and the schedule.

Example Work Products

1.    Change requests

Subpractices

1.    Initiate and record change requests in the change request database.

2.    Analyze the impact of changes and fixes proposed in change requests.

Changes are evaluated through activities that ensure that they are consistent with all technical and work requirements.

Changes are evaluated for their impact beyond immediate work or contract requirements. Changes to an item used in multiple products can resolve an immediate issue while causing a problem in other applications.

Changes are evaluated for their impact on release plans.

3.    Categorize and prioritize change requests.

Emergency requests are identified and referred to an emergency authority if appropriate.

Changes are allocated to future baselines.

4.    Review change requests to be addressed in the next baseline with relevant stakeholders and get their agreement.

Conduct the change request review with appropriate participants. Record the disposition of each change request and the rationale for the decision, including success criteria, a brief action plan if appropriate, and needs met or unmet by the change. Perform the actions required in the disposition and report results to relevant stakeholders.

5.    Track the status of change requests to closure.

Change requests brought into the system should be handled in an efficient and timely manner. Once a change request has been processed, it is critical to close the request with the appropriate approved action as soon as it is practical. Actions left open result in larger than necessary status lists, which in turn result in added costs and confusion.