“12 Proven Change Management Tips & Skills from Real Project Managers” on Technology Advice, December 12, 2025.
1. Define a clear change management process
“The first and most important step in managing project change is defining the process that will be followed,”said Alan Zucker. Many projects struggle not because of the change itself, but because the team lacks a clear structure for managing it. Zucker emphasized that having an established process prevents confusion and frustration among stakeholders. He also cautioned that “critical processes, like change management, are not clearly defined, leading to execution problems.”
A well-defined process outlines how change requests are submitted and approved. It prevents scope creep and ensures every change is assessed for time, cost, and impact. By setting predefined acceptable change levels and identifying decision-makers, teams reduce friction and maintain control.
5. Help stakeholders visualize trade-offs
Zucker also highlighted the importance of transparency in managing scope changes. Project managers should “draw a line showing what can be achieved within the allotted time and budget.” When new items are added, others may fall below the line, showing stakeholders the trade-offs in real time.
This visualization technique makes it easier for teams to prioritize changes based on value. According to Zucker, using Agile techniques like ordering change requests from most to least valuable promotes accountability and informed decision-making.