When submitting a change order, which items should be included?

When submitting a change order, which items should be included?

• A. A statement outlining reasons for the change and the effect of the change on the work, a complete description of the proposed change, the effect of the proposed change on the contract cost and schedule, and costs of labor directly attributable to the change.
• B. Only the description of the proposed change.
• C. The effect on the contract schedule only.
• D. Costs of materials and equipment only.

Answer: (C)

When a change order is submitted, the most critical information to convey is how the change will affect the project timeline. The schedule impact is what drives sequencing, resource planning, milestone adjustments, and potential consequences for completion dates and penalties. Providing a clear schedule effect lets everyone assess feasibility, reorganize work if needed, and keep the project on track. While describing the change and estimating costs are important in practice, the schedule impact is the key factor that determines how the change will influence the overall contract performance, which is why this option is the best fit for what the change order should primarily communicate.

When a change order is submitted, the most critical information to convey is how the change will affect the project timeline. The schedule impact is what drives sequencing, resource planning, milestone adjustments, and potential consequences for completion dates and penalties. Providing a clear schedule effect lets everyone assess feasibility, reorganize work if needed, and keep the project on track. While describing the change and estimating costs are important in practice, the schedule impact is the key factor that determines how the change will influence the overall contract performance, which is why this option is the best fit for what the change order should primarily communicate.