Change Request Form Example

CHANGE REQUEST FORM

(Insert project name)

Requester Name:

Requester Company Name:

Date Requested:

Response Requested By:

Change Requested:

The requester should insert a detailed description of the change requested, the reasons for making the change, and the possible effects on the Project.

** Costs for the study of the proposed change will be agreed upon in writing by both Company and Customer.
Change Request Received:

By:

Company:

Date:

Change Request No.:

Applying Critical Path Method Analysis

Performing a Critical Path Method analysis on a project network diagram reveals the earliest and latest possible start and finish dates for each activity and the overall duration of the project. But what happens if the calculated dates don't fit within the project deadline? You can apply the results of your Critical Path Method analysis to help find the best way to reduce the overall duration of the project.
1) Crashing:

• Identify the critical path through the network diagram.
• Are there activities on the critical path that occur when no other work activities are being performed at the same time? Can the duration of these activities be reduced by applying more resources? What would be the cost of additional resources? Would reducing the duration of the activity result in cost savings such as reduced overhead or penalties? If the savings generated by applying more resources are greater than the cost and additional resources are available, the estimated duration can be reduced.
• Identify activities on the critical path that are performed simultaneously with activities that are not on the critical path. How much float, or slack time, is included in the noncritical path for the simultaneous activity? Can the duration of the activity on the critical path be reduced by the amount of float? What are the associated costs and savings? If the savings outweigh the costs, you may reduce the duration of the activity on the critical path.
• After you have identified all the available opportunities to shorten the critical path, perform a new Critical Path Method analysis using the revised duration for all activities. The critical path may change as a result of your revisions.

2) Fast-tracking:

• Identify the critical path through the network diagram.
• Reexamine the dependencies shown among activities on the critical path. Are there any activities that can begin before preceding activities have been completed? If so, the dependencies shown in the network diagram can change.
• Can the later activity begin at the same time as the earlier activity? Are there sufficient resources available to perform both activities simultaneously? If so, a parallel path may be created for the later activity. It can be moved off the critical path.
• Can the later activity begin after the earlier activity has begun but before it finishes? Are there sufficient resources available to perform both activities simultaneously? If so, revise the start date shown on the later activity. Using the estimated duration, recalculate the estimated finish date.
• When you have identified all the opportunities to fast-track activities on the critical path, perform a new Critical Path Method analysis of the project network diagram. The critical path may change as a result of fast-tracking. 

Quality Assurance Plan Example

QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN OUTLINE

Use the following outline to prepare a comprehensive Quality Assurance Plan.

1.0    Quality Assurance Overview

         1.1    Project Scope - Describe the project. Insert the Scope Statement or provide a summary description of the overall project, its objectives, the customer, and the customer's business needs.

         1.2    Quality Assurance Manager - Identify the Quality Assurance Manager for the project. Describe whether this person's assignment will be full-time or part-time. Provide a summary of the QA Manager's responsibilities (further described in Section 6.0).

         1.3    Quality Assurance Activities - Provide an overview of the project's QA activities. Identify whether there is an overall test and acceptance process. Discuss general provisions for in-process quality management. Describe any planned project audit activities.

2.0    Project Deliverables and Quality Assurance

         2.1    Deliverable Description - Describe the project deliverables, or refer to the SOW or other documentation. If necessary, include the Contract Deliverables and Milestone Checklist of the Contract Tracking Summary. Describe major deliverable elements without excessive detail.

         2.2    Test and Acceptance Processes - Discuss the planned test and acceptance processes. Identify how those processes will verify deliverable quality. Reference the Test and Acceptance Plan, as necessary.

         2.3    Acceptance Criteria - Describe the acceptance criteria for project deliverables. Describe how to use the criteria in acceptance testing. Describe how to use those criteria to assess project quality.

         2.4    Quality Assurance Manager Activities - Describe the activities of the QA Manager as they relate to specific deliverables. What will the QA Manager do to supplement the testing and acceptance process?

3.0    Project Processes and Quality Assurance

         3.1    Project Monitoring and Control. Discuss the in-process monitoring and control processes planned for the project, and their effect on project quality. Discuss the Project Manager's process for obtaining project-related information. Describe how to control the process using that information. Specifically, discuss the ways to obtain the schedule and cost information.

         3.2    In-Process Quality Monitoring - Describe how to measure quality as a part of each work process in the project. Identify in-process measurement points, and describe who on the Project Team will be taking appropriate measurements.

         3.3    Quality Assurance Manager Activities - Describe the process-related activities of the QA Manager in addition to those of the Project Manager and Project Team. What will the QA Manager examine/assess in addition to the rest of the Project Team? Identify the QA Manager's responsibilities for assisting Project Team members with in-process evaluations.

4.0    Project Audits and Quality Reviews

Discuss the planned schedule of project audits and quality reviews. Describe how results of those events will be factored back into project planning and implementation activities. Discuss the process of lessons learned reviews. Discuss how those reviews can benefit the Project Team while the project continues.

5.0    Project Team Quality Responsibilities

Identify quality-related responsibilities of the Project Team as a whole. List specific task-related quality responsibilities, including responsibility for specific acceptance tests, project audits, and other quality-related activities.

6.0    Quality Assurance Manager Responsibilities

List the specific responsibilities and activities of the QA Manager. Discuss how the QA Manager will work with the Project Manager and other Project Team members in accomplishing those responsibilities.