Shivansh Monga

00238297T

28/10/2018

Project Execution and Control

Assignment 1 Part B
Table of Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 3

Why Corwin Corporation Failed? ................................................................................................... 3

Common Project Management Mistakes ........................................................................................ 4

Significance of Change Control Process......................................................................................... 4

Change Control Process .................................................................................................................. 5

Workflows and Work Breakdown Systems .................................................................................... 5

Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 6

References ....................................................................................................................................... 7

Appendix ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Filled Sample for Change Request ................................................................................................. 8

Introduction

Clients are always right and demanding. However, the change must be anticipated by the project
leader to streamline activities and avoid over-run costs, time and resources. The change control
process is significant as it not explores new options but also provide with risk assessment. During
any project, the uncontrolled changes must be avoided to avoid disruption in services. The main
reason behind misalignment of project objectives with expectations is due to improper
documentation of change request. Whenever client or business organisation misses out change
request process, the activities may not result in desired result. The most important thing during any
project is to keep track of available time, resources and budget with proposed changes. Proposed
change must be implement through change control process to avoid miscommunication and
wastage of time and resources.

Why Corwin Corporation Failed?

Corwin case study highlights number of project management issues which must be avoided.
Firstly, the requirements were vague and incomplete. Secondly, Mr. Pat applied surplus of changes
(unnecessary and uncontrolled). Thirdly, Corwin Corporation lacked change control and open
communication. Lastly, Mr. Dan of Corwin Corporation didn’t implement techniques and tools of
project management due to his inexperience (Corwin, n.d). All such factors lead to failing of the
project as Peter’s company terminated the contract. The reputation and good working relationship
of Corwin Corporation suffered a blow and they also had to bear financial burdens as the selection
process wasn’t well thought and change control mechanism wasn’t implemented.

The managers and stakeholders must be aware of the fact that change is unavoidable and changes
must be implemented in a controlled manner to minimize the risks involved. Changes have direct
impact on scope, time and budget of the project (Project Management Institute, 2013). The absence
of change control process results in inconclusive results, hectic and confused working environment
and improper communication. The successful project managers control the change rather than
avoiding change (Wysocki, 2013). Moreover, control change process allows the client as well the
business organisation to keep track of objectives, have risk analysis and re-evaluate the plan.
Common Project Management Mistakes

Corwin Corporation made a lot of blunders throughout the process. Despite the fact that top
management was on vacations and regular project manager wasn’t available, Corwin Corporation
bid and signed the agreement cursorily due to the incentive of 5-year profit sharing deal. Moreover,
the contractual manager didn’t take into consideration the fixed price contract. Likewise, project
manager Mr. Dan, lacked experience in project management and as a result he didn’t implemented
change control process and allowed undue interference of client in his project and team. Lastly,
the funds were used beforehand to purchase raw material for test matrix. It can be concluded that
continuous changes, vague requirements, absences of control change mechanism and improper
communication resulted in failure of project.

Significance of Change Control Process

Benefits of change control process are multi-fold (Krezner, 2017);
1- Filters and manage changes
2- Document, submit and review the changes
3- Open communication
4- Impact and Risk analysis

No organisation or project leader may achieve the desired results without proper implementation
of change control process. The most important aspect of change control management is open
communication through which proposed changes can be discussed, planned and executed
(Stackpole, 2013). Mr. Dan failed to document changes which resulted in communication gap
among project leader, staff, management and client. Moreover, with the help of change control
process the activities can be streamlined and everyone can know their roles in a better way.
Similarly, change control process involves the top management in the project and they can review
the proceedings. Lastly, the change request process helps in tracking all the proposed changes and
it leads to clear reporting and measuring of milestones. If implemented properly, change control
process avoids uncontrolled and unnecessary changes and also creates a shared working
environment.
Change Control Process

Change control process may include number of steps or stages. However, all the change control
process must have (Stasis, 2013):
1- Change request; to propose and formalize the change request by documenting and
submitting it.
2- Risk assessment; to identify the risks involved and analyse the impact on budget, scope,
time and quality of the project.
3- Review and discuss; it is necessary that the management review and discuss the change
request.
4- Decision; after deliberation, decisions are wither made in favour of proposed change or
against it.
5- Implementation; after approval the change is implemented and plan is re-evaluated as per
new objectives and proposed change.
6- Post-Implementation Review and Closure; the requestor review the implemented change
and then officially the change request is closed by entering it in a change log.

Workflows and Work Breakdown Systems

Automated workflows and work breakdown systems are the tools which help in tracking and
managing changes. These tools help in creating a platform where clients, project team and
management can keep track of activities and objectives. The means and ends are properly stated
and open communication channel is established. The focal point of all such available tools is to
create a shared working atmosphere where everyone can participate proactively and confidently.
In short, documentation of change request is essential to collaborate and communicate effectively
and efficiently.
Conclusion

Change control process is a systematic process which helps in controlling change and avoiding
over-run costs and time. Change is unavoidable and leaders must be adaptive to change to avoid
miscommunication and misalignment in project scope and objective. Change control process
begins with documenting change request, reviewing change request, anticipating risk analysis and
implementing change after decision by management. Change control process filters the changes
and avoid unnecessary changes from occurring. In this way, management is kept involved in the
project and proper communication channels are established among all stakeholders. Moreover,
risks assessment is done to forecast the impact of proposed changes. The risks may be of low,
medium or high level and after risk analysis the decisions are made whether or not the proposed
changes be implemented.
References
Angelos Stasis, J. W. (2013). A Critical Examination Of Change Control Processes. Procedia CIRP
(11), 177-182.

Corwin Corporation. (nd) Pages 229-239.

Heldman, K. (2013). PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide (7th ed.).
Indianapolis, IN: Wiley.

Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and

controlling. John Wiley & Sons.

Project Management Institute. (2013). A guide to the project management body of knowledge
(PMBOK Guide®) (5th ed.). Newtown Square, Pennsylvania: Project Management
Institute.

Stackpole, C. S. (2013). A Project Manager's Book of Forms (2nd ed.). Wiley.

Wysocki, R. K. (2013). Effective project management: traditional, agile, extreme, (7th edition).
Indianapolis, IN: John Wiley and Sons.
Appendix

Filled Sample for Change Request

ABC Change Number CR21

Project Name
Requested By Client Date of Request 26/10/2018
Project Manager
Presented To

Test Matrix
Change Name

Description of Change:
Generate new funds for buying raw materials for new test series.

Reason for Change:

Initial 5 tests failed to give satisfactory result.

Effect on Deliverables:
Time and Cost

Effect on Organization:
Time and Cost

Effect on Schedule (including Estimated Completion Date for this change):

5 days approximately
 Effect on Project Cost:
Hours Dollars
Item Description
Reduction Increase Reduction Increase

X $ 10,000.00
Work Hours
X $ 15,000.00
Raw Materials

Total Net Change in Cost: $ 25,000.00

Effect of NOT Approving this Change:

May result in termination of contract.

Reason for Rejection (if applicable):

High Cost

Functional Project Manager

Approved Signature: ABCD
Rejected Title: Project Manager Date: 27/10/2018

USF IT
Approved Signature: XYZ
Rejected Title: CEO Date: 28/10/2018