What is the best practice for managing change orders in a construction project?

Managing change orders effectively is crucial for maintaining the integrity and financial viability of a construction project. The best practice involves documenting and analyzing each change promptly. This method ensures that all alterations are formally recognized and assessed in terms of their potential impact on project scope, budget, and timeline. By doing so, the project team can make informed decisions regarding whether to proceed with the change, reject it, or negotiate adjustments to accommodate it.

This proactive approach not only helps in keeping all stakeholders aware of the changes but also in mitigating disputes that often arise from misunderstandings or lack of communication about changes to the original plan. Incorporating a systematic process for handling change orders facilitates better project management and financial tracking, ultimately leading to greater project success.

The other options do not support effective change order management. For instance, ignoring minor changes can lead to significant issues over time as unaddressed alterations compound and affect overall project outcomes. Discussing changes only after project completion may result in unresolved conflicts, as stakeholders might have different opinions on what was agreed upon. Lastly, eliminating all changes is impractical, as modifications can be essential for addressing unforeseen circumstances or improvements. Thus, documenting and analyzing changes is not just advisable but necessary for successful project execution.