Change is a natural part of any project. Requirements evolve, stakeholders bring new expectations, and external conditions shift. In project management, especially under PMP practices, the real challenge is not avoiding change but evaluating it correctly. Change Request Evaluation ensures that every proposed change is reviewed in a structured, controlled, and business-focused way.
This blog is designed as an interview-focused guide, written in simple language to help candidates clearly understand concepts and confidently answer questions. You will learn how Change Request Evaluation works, how it connects with Integrated Change Control, and why Impact Analysis, Approval Workflow, and Scope Management are critical to project success.
Interview Questions and Answers on Change Request Evaluation
Question 1. What is Change Request Evaluation in project management?
Answer: Change Request Evaluation is the process of reviewing, analyzing, and deciding whether a proposed change should be approved, deferred, or rejected. It ensures that changes align with project objectives, business value, and constraints such as scope, cost, time, and quality.
In interviews, emphasize that Change Request Evaluation prevents uncontrolled changes and helps maintain project stability while still allowing flexibility.
Question 2. What is a change request, and who can raise it?
Answer: A change request is a formal proposal to modify any part of the project, such as scope, schedule, cost, resources, or deliverables.
Any stakeholder can raise a change request, including the project sponsor, customer, team members, or external partners.
Interview tip: Highlight that informal requests should always be converted into formal change requests to ensure proper evaluation.
Question 3. How does Change Request Evaluation fit into Integrated Change Control?
Answer: Integrated Change Control is the overall process that manages how changes are identified, evaluated, approved, and implemented. Change Request Evaluation is a key step within this process.
It ensures that changes are assessed holistically rather than in isolation, considering their impact across the entire project.
Mention that Integrated Change Control helps avoid conflicting changes and keeps the project aligned with approved baselines.
Question 4. What are the key steps involved in Change Request Evaluation?
Answer: The evaluation process typically follows these steps:
- Log and document the change request
- Perform Impact Analysis
- Review the change with relevant stakeholders
- Follow the defined Approval Workflow
- Approve, reject, or defer the change
- Update project documents if approved
Interviewers often look for structured thinking, so clearly explaining these steps is important.
Question 5. What is Impact Analysis, and why is it important?
Answer: Impact Analysis is the assessment of how a proposed change affects scope, schedule, cost, quality, risks, and resources.
It helps decision-makers understand the trade-offs involved before approving a change.
In interviews, explain that without Impact Analysis, teams may approve changes that seem small but create major downstream issues.
Question 6. How does Change Request Evaluation support Scope Management?
Answer: Scope Management ensures that the project includes only the work required to complete it successfully.
Change Request Evaluation supports Scope Management by formally reviewing scope changes and preventing scope creep.
Approved changes update the scope baseline, while rejected changes protect the project from unnecessary expansion.
Question 7. What is the role of the Change Control Board (CCB)?
Answer: The Change Control Board is a group of stakeholders responsible for reviewing and approving or rejecting change requests.
Its role is to ensure that decisions are balanced, business-driven, and aligned with project priorities.
In interviews, note that not all projects require a formal CCB, but the decision-making authority must always be defined.
Question 8. How does the Approval Workflow work in change management?
Answer: The Approval Workflow defines who reviews the change, who provides input, and who gives final approval.
It ensures transparency and accountability by following predefined roles and escalation paths.
Explain that a clear Approval Workflow prevents delays, confusion, and unauthorized changes.
Question 9. How do you handle urgent change requests?
Answer: Urgent change requests still follow Integrated Change Control but may use an expedited Approval Workflow.
Impact Analysis is performed quickly, focusing on critical constraints and risks.
Interviewers value answers that balance speed with control rather than bypassing the process entirely.
Question 10. What documents are updated after a change is approved?
Answer: After approval, relevant documents such as the project management plan, scope baseline, schedule baseline, cost baseline, and risk register are updated.
Clear documentation ensures that everyone works with the latest approved version of the project plan.
Question 11. How do you communicate approved or rejected changes to stakeholders?
Answer: Communication should be timely, clear, and documented.
Stakeholders should understand the decision, reasoning, and next steps.
In interviews, stress that poor communication can lead to confusion and rework, even if the change decision is correct.
Question 12. What is the difference between a corrective action and a change request?
Answer: A corrective action addresses performance issues and brings the project back on track.
A change request proposes a modification to the approved plan or baseline.
Sometimes, a corrective action may result in a change request if it impacts scope, schedule, or cost.
Question 13. How does Change Request Evaluation help deliver business value?
Answer: By evaluating changes based on benefits, risks, and alignment with goals, teams ensure that only valuable changes are implemented.
This prevents unnecessary work and focuses effort on outcomes that matter most to stakeholders.
Question 14. What are common mistakes in Change Request Evaluation?
Answer: Common mistakes include skipping Impact Analysis, approving changes informally, unclear Approval Workflow, and failing to update documentation.
In interviews, mentioning these pitfalls shows practical experience and awareness.
Question 15. How does Change Request Evaluation differ in predictive and adaptive projects?
Answer: In predictive projects, change requests are more formal and tightly controlled.
In adaptive projects, changes are expected and evaluated frequently, often during regular planning cycles.
However, Integrated Change Control and Impact Analysis remain essential in both approaches.
Conclusion
Change Request Evaluation is not about saying no to change; it is about making informed decisions. Through Integrated Change Control, structured Impact Analysis, a clear Approval Workflow, and strong Scope Management, projects can adapt without losing control.
For interviews, focus on explaining the process clearly, showing how evaluation protects project objectives while supporting business value. A strong understanding of change management demonstrates maturity as a project management professional.
