Scope Change Form
A short form to capture any change to the build-out — what changed, why, cost, schedule impact, who approved — so scope creep doesn't quietly blow your budget or date.
Scope Change Form
“Can you also just…” is how a clean budget and a firm date quietly slip. A scope change form makes every change to the build-out a deliberate, documented decision — with its cost and schedule impact on the table before anyone says yes.
What it’s for
To stop scope creep from happening by accident. Changes aren’t bad — but unpriced, unapproved ones are. This captures what changed, why, what it costs, and who signed off, so surprises don’t show up on an invoice or push your opening.
How to use it
- Open one for any change to agreed scope — additions, swaps, “while you’re in there” requests.
- Capture cost and schedule impact before approving; route it through your purchase thresholds.
- Record the outcome in your Decision Log.
The form
| Field | Capture |
|---|---|
| Date | When raised |
| Change requested | What’s different from agreed scope / the work letter |
| Reason | Why it’s needed |
| Cost impact | $ added (or saved) |
| Schedule impact | Days added; affects opening? |
| Opening-critical? | Yes / No |
| Requested by | Name |
| Approved by | Name + date (or declined) |
Tips
- Price it before you approve it. “We’ll sort the cost later” is how budgets break.
- Guard the date. Any change that risks opening day deserves a hard second look.
- Small changes add up. Five “tiny” untracked changes are a budget overrun with no paper trail.
See the full workstream: Construction, Light TI & Punch.