Project Management 9: Change Order Management: Best Practices

Project Management 9: Change Order Management: Best Practices
LIVESTREAM
John Koontz
Friday, October 30, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. MST
Member: Free
Non-Member: $179

This class provides mechanical project managers with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to manage change orders effectively – safeguarding profitability, preserving leverage, and maintaining strong customer relationships in an ever-changing project environment. While changes are inevitable, poor change management can quickly erode margins, disrupt efficiency, delay progress, spark disputes, and damage reputations. The instructor will examine the most common causes and types of project changes, emphasizing the critical need to establish a clear baseline of scope, schedule, conditions, and budget at the start of the project. Participants will develop practical skills for identifying change conditions, issuing timely and contract-compliant notices, documenting impacts, and negotiating fair, accurate pricing. This course also covers key contract requirements, the differences between private and government work, and the serious risks of performing T&M work based on direction from unauthorized personnel representing the GC, CM, or Owner. Additionally, the instructor will stress that successful change order management relies heavily on the open and consistent communication between the project manager and the field leader (foreman). To reinforce key lessons, the class will include a short workshop segment where participants will review and discuss several realistic change order scenarios drawn from actual project experiences.