A change order is an authorized amendment to an existing purchase commitment, such as a change in quantity, scope, value, delivery, milestone, or terms. It should preserve the relationship between the original need, supporting evidence, approval, supplier communication, and ERP record. Controls determine which changes require renewed budget, contract, technical, or approval review.
In plain English
It is the controlled way to alter an approved order after it has been issued.
Illustrative example
At Northstar Industrial Systems, a project manager requests an approved scope and value change after site conditions alter an equipment-installation requirement.
- Related terms
- Purchase order; Contract amendment; Approval workflow; Version control
- Lifecycle stages
- Execute; Receive
- Stakeholders
- Operations; Procurement; Finance; Supplier