One strategy that works well for me is setting clear expectations with stakeholders as soon as a change order is issued. This helps everyone understand the potential impact on the timeline and budget upfront. I do not agree with the assumption that all change orders lead to major disruptions. With proper tracking and monitoring, most changes can be integrated smoothly without causing significant delays. A recent example involved a project where multiple change orders were handled using a robust tracking system. This allowed the team to stay on top of each modification, ensuring that adjustments were made quickly and efficiently, preventing any major disruptions.

Preventing project delays due to change orders requires a clear change management process, realistic expectations, and constant communication with stakeholders. Thorough planning, anticipating potential changes, and building flexibility into the schedule allow quick adaptation without compromising project timelines.

To prevent any disruption due to change orders, an effective change management & approval framework related to the contractual variation & deliverables provisions is crucial. Review the changes in line with the contractual variation provisions and deliverable obligations. Use software like Primavera to evaluate changes' impact & look ahead scenarios. Collaborate with stakeholders to present the impact on time/cost/risks. Implement the process for early buy-ins & required approval of stakeholders on necessary time/cost/risk impacts of change orders. Use structured communication and apply risk mitigation strategies. This will expedite the approval, minimize delays/disruption & help deliver the project successfully within the revised scope.

A proper Change Management process must be in place and applied to prevent the changes or variations from disrupting your workflow. In the normal and proper practice, once the Project Management Team receives a variation notice or change order (depending on how a variation is identified in the signed contract), or identifies any event that constitute a change or variation, it is assessed for any time and cost impact. The impact assessment is notified or shared with the other party. Once agreed, the impact in terms of time (if any), is integrated into the Baseline programme and reasonable adjustment to the milestones and/or completion is made as necessary (implying no delay, thus securing the entitlement to Extension of Time or EOT)