![\"Change](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/change-log-template-argo-changes.jpg\")
<\/a>What Is a Change Log?<\/h2>\n
A change log is a project document<\/a> that systematically records and tracks modifications made to a project system, document or process. It\u2019s used as a historical record that details the \u201cwhat,\u201d \u201cwhen,\u201d \u201cwhy\u201d and \u201cwho\u201d behind each change.<\/p>\n The goal of using a change log is to maintain a clear audit trail that helps teams understand a project or system\u2019s evolution. This record is especially useful in areas like software development, where frequent bug fixes and updates occur. However, a change log template can be valuable in any context where change must be documented.<\/p>\n Projects are planned carefully. Before you even start, there\u2019s been a ton of research and study as to the right course forward. But when a plan meets the real world things change. No matter how well you\u2019ve done your risk assessment, something unexpected will happen. Maybe equipment breaks, team members get sick, weather intervenes\u2014it could be anything.<\/p>\n A change log, change management log, change order log or change control log template\u2014whatever you call it\u2014is a document that allows you to capture change as it happens and track it throughout the project until the issue raised has been put to bed.<\/p>\n When you use a change log template, you\u2019re taking change out from the shadows where it\u2019s hiding and can do the most damage and placing it into the light. Now, there\u2019s visibility. The change has been identified, and there are team members assigned to resolve it to create accountability. The team can go on with the project with the confidence that the change working against them is being taken care of.<\/p>\n The change log template is a tool to track the effort of resolving the change. It gives the project manager a place to not only identify the change but assign a team member to deal with it and even set a timeline by which the change must be resolved.<\/p>\n That change is prioritized and tracked from start to finish. The change log template is where any comments and notes related to the change can be saved. This is a vital feature of any project. As already expressed, change is a constant. It\u2019s part of what a project manager is responsible for and to ignore the change log is to steer a project without a rudder. You\u2019ll find yourself running aground before you know it.<\/p>\n Change impacts time and cost in a project, which are critical constraints that must be managed intelligently. Project management software like ProjectManager<\/a> gives teams ownership over change so the project can stay on track. Teams can then manage their own workload and use kanban boards or lists to collaborate on issues in real time. Managers get visibility into the process and can reallocate resources to keep teams working at capacity to get the work done faster. Plus, all those changes will be saved in one central location, where they’ll automatically be incorporated into your project reporting.<\/p>\n Any roles involved in managing projects, systems or documentation that undergo frequent changes can use a change log. For example, a software developer or engineer may use a change log to track modifications to code, software releases or bug fixes<\/a> to ensure there\u2019s a history of changes for their team and stakeholders to reference.<\/p>\n Project managers, on the other hand, can use this change log template to document changes to project scope<\/a>, timelines and deliverables. It acts as a record of the project\u2019s evolution and helps facilitate communication with stakeholders.<\/p>\n Once you download our free change log template, you\u2019ll see that our spreadsheet has a place for every aspect of your change management. You can number them, for they\u2019ll likely be more than one, and keep track of the changes that occur over the course of your project.<\/p>\n The template allows you to note when the change was first discovered, who owns it and is responsible for it being resolved, as well as the status and priority of the specific change being highlighted.<\/p>\n Each row is designed to collect one change, with the columns marking its progress from discovery to recovery. This useful as it makes sure no change order<\/a> that occurs over the course of your project is ever at risk of falling through the cracks and being ignored.<\/p>\n After you open up the change log template, you\u2019ll see that there are many column headings with blank fields beneath them. These blank cells are for you to input the related data. Of course, the whole template is editable, so feel free to change headings to match your work process and nomenclature.<\/p>\n The following is a brief explanation of the different sections of our template.<\/p>\n Professionals in nearly any industry can benefit from using this change log template.<\/p>\n Our free downloadable change log template is a great tool, but it\u2019s only a first step towards a more dynamic change management. ProjectManager<\/a> is a cloud-based project management software that takes your change order log template to the next level.<\/p>\n When you open a new project in ProjectManager just go to the Gantt view. There, on the upper-right hand corner you\u2019ll see an import button. Click it and import the change log template just as you would a task list.<\/p>\n Now all the data you put into the change control log template is populated on the Gantt chart, which has a visual timeline to the right that shows the tasks across the length of the project. Better still, the spreadsheet is now dynamic. That means, you can assign each change order<\/a> to a team member, which will then notify them.<\/p>\n Not only will they be notified, but because ProjectManager is cloud-based when they update their status on the change order, you get notified. Automated alerts can also be added to tell a team member when the deadline is approaching or let you know if they\u2019re late in addressing the change order.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a way to dialogue, so team members can communicate with one another or with the team leader if they have any questions. Over the course of resolving a change order or when assigning it, there is probably going to be a lot of supporting documents and other paperwork, which can be attached to the specific change order in ProjectManager.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not ready to jump into the ProjectManager software quite yet, have a look around our extensive library of project management training videos and blog posts. Yes, ProjectManager isn\u2019t only a great tool to work with, it\u2019s a valuable resource to learn.<\/p>\n The following is just a sample of all the great content you can find on our site. Here are some relevant articles we\u2019ve recently published that are related to change management.<\/p>\n A change log template is the first step in change management. The next step is a robust project management software like the cloud-based ProjectManager. Our features make change management more efficient and effective by assigning tasks to team members and being able to track their progress<\/a> in real-time. Want to try it with your next project? Click here to take a free 30-day trial to get started.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":68694,"template":"","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Change Log Template for Excel (Free Download)","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Download your free change log template for Excel and start tracking project change. Manage change orders and more!","head_code_insert":"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-47029","templates","type-templates","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","template_categories-tracking"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy You Need a Change Log Template<\/h2>\n
Greater Visibility<\/h3>\n
![\"ProjectManager's](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Change-Log-Screenshot.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Task](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Project-list-light-mode-CTA.png\")
<\/a>Who Should Use a Change Log?<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s Inside Our Change Log Template?<\/h2>\n
How to Use Our Change Log Template<\/h2>\n
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Examples of When to Use a Change Log Template<\/h2>\n
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How to Import the Change Log into ProjectManager<\/h2>\n
![\"gantt](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Gantt_Manufacturing_Wide_Zoom-175_Focus-on-Tasklist_Spreadsheet.jpg\")
<\/a>Related Content<\/h2>\n
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ProjectManager for Change Management<\/h2>\n