How do you balance flexibility and control in change order tracking?

Need to define change order process.Also need to develop escalation n tracking mechanism to have effective control.This process need to sink with project control

As you rightly mentioned change orders are inevitable during a project cycle. However, the teams need to be aligned on the cost & time overruns. Usually if the owner and the contractors are aware of these, then issues are solvable. Dealing with change orders involves a multitude of Problems broadly concerned with interdependency of various disciplines. The next problem is related to trust issues between the owners and contractors, who do not give credence to the time & cost overruns once the changes have been successfully implemented.

Coordinate between Engineering department and the supervision to clarify changes on site due to obstructions which may result in changes of quantities and/or measurements.

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Also the change approval committee,must delegate their authority based on amount or changes in time schedule, for which the Client project team should come to them. Many a time the change approval committee is saddled with approval of minor changes.

Employing a comprehensive change order tracking system is pivotal in ensuring effective change management. By utilizing a structured system, construction managers can seamlessly monitor and update change order details, facilitating efficient communication and collaboration among project stakeholders. Moreover, the systematic analysis of change order data enables the identification of potential patterns and insights, aiding in the optimization of project performance and the minimization of delays and disputes. A well-implemented change order tracking system fosters enhanced transparency and accountability, thereby striking a balance between adaptability and oversight in construction projects.

I always anticipate and plan for potential changes in every project, and I’m alway ready to adapt and respond to them quickly and effectively.

As I said in the earlier topic that the recording and tracking of deviation in the form of change management can be managed simultaneously with routine construction progress through automation platform, the same can be linked with Tableau- another automated portal , which can create a dashboard for information to all concerned as transparent document e- transmittal. Thus, this established process will ensure good mechanism of administering change order tracking.

Timely and comprehensive communication alongside meticulous documentation are vital in maintaining a balance between flexibility and control in change order tracking. Transparently conveying the details of change orders, including justifications, approvals, and impacts, fosters a shared understanding among stakeholders, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and conflicts. Keeping an organized and thorough record of change orders aids in preserving project history, facilitating effective risk management, and upholding contractual obligations, ultimately contributing to smoother project execution and client satisfaction.

By defining clear processes while allowing for adaptability and establishing structured framework for change orders. Review and refine the processes for evolving needs.

Transparency in dealing a contract is very important topic in modern business world. Therefore, establishing automated platform and visibility of the content on the real time basis among the client, consultant and the contracting firm is very important.

Regular review and evaluation of change orders is integral in maintaining project alignment and ensuring optimal performance. By consistently assessing the implementation of change orders, construction managers can verify their adherence to project objectives and specifications, mitigating potential risks to project quality and safety. Moreover, thorough monitoring of change order performance facilitates the identification of key insights and lessons learned, enabling the continuous improvement of change management practices. Effective review and evaluation processes contribute to the successful delivery of projects while fostering enhanced customer satisfaction and stakeholder engagement.

Probably there is a need to amend FIDIC laws the Redbook... I have not read the latest version, if they have done is ok and if not, they should introduce a law through clauses that " how to manage change order administering through transparent and automated platform"

Maintaining a delicate balance between flexibility and control in change order tracking is crucial for successful construction project management. By adopting a proactive approach and anticipating potential alterations, construction managers can effectively respond to changes promptly and efficiently. Soliciting feedback and involving stakeholders in the change order process can foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovative solutions and value engineering, thereby optimizing project scope, schedule, and budget. This proactive stance not only enables the effective management of change orders but also transforms them into opportunities for enhancing project outcomes and achieving mutually beneficial results.

En mi experiencia, algunos cambios son imprevisibles porque dependen de gustos o de reorientaciones de algunos aspectos del proyecto, pero hay otros que se deben a falta de definición de algunos puntos, o de decisiones de dise?o mejorables. En estos casos es posible anticiparse por medio de un análisis detallado del proyecto, lo que permite gestionar los cambios con antelación suficiente, resultando un beneficio para todos. Esto tiene también un efecto secundario importante: aumenta el prestigio y la credibilidad del constructor.

The key responsibility of this process lies on the Project Manager who is the fulcrum point in a project and he is a link between client, consultant and the Contracting agency. It should be a charter while finalising the overall actions to be performed in the project and also this idea is to be deciminated with his group of team members involved in the project. If it is so automatically this particular topic will be a routine agenda od discussion points during jnternal reviews.

A menudo, cuando se generan muchos cambios (especialmente si son sobre partidas ya ejecutadas) se produce un efecto indeseable: la frustración del equipo, que tiene que retroceder constantemente y siente que no consigue avanzar. Es importante gestionarlos con rapidez y claridad, haciéndoles ver que llevarlos a cabo de forma eficiente es también parte de nuestro trabajo

As a Change Process Manager, maintaining the right equilibrium between flexibility & control in change order tracking is crucial. Flexibility allows you to adapt to unexpected changes & accommodate stakeholders' needs. Control ensures that changes are managed within defined boundaries. Strategies for achieving this balance: 1. Establish a straightforward process for submitting, reviewing, & approving COs. 2. Keep detailed documentation of COs, including reasons, impacts, & approvals. 3. Keep communicating stakeholders about COs, their status & assess the impact on the project's timeline, budget, & scope. 4. Encourage teams to propose innovative ways to accommodate changes. 5. Identify & plan for potential risks associated with COs.

Construction management fundamentals should not change in view to any change order. That is the best control. Focusing on time, cost, quality and safety objectives are the best way for control despite any form of changes during the entire construction duration. There are many real life cases whereby fellow managers diverted their focus on the change orders and eventually lost track or lost control to complete the construction.