change-impact-analysis

Purpose

Guide requirements engineers through a structured impact analysis for proposed requirements changes. This is the analytical backbone of change control -- without it, change decisions are based on gut feeling, and scope creep proceeds unchecked.

This is not a bureaucratic form-filling exercise. It is a systematic assessment that ensures every change decision is informed by an understanding of what the change will really cost, what it will affect, and what risks it introduces.

Key Concepts

Three-Step Impact Analysis

Wiegers defines a three-step procedure for analyzing any proposed change:

1. Implications analysis -- What are the direct and indirect consequences of this change?
2. Affected work products -- Which documents, designs, code modules, and test cases must be modified?
3. Effort estimation -- How much work is required, and what is the schedule and cost impact?

Change Request Attributes (18 Fields)

A complete change request record contains: