What Is a Management of Change Procedure?

The management of change procedure is a crucial step for evaluating and approving changes to business processes in an organized and systematic way. But what, exactly, does a management of change procedure look like in action? Here’s what you should know about how these processes go and what they entail.

Defining Management of Change Procedures

Management of change (MoC) procedures are formal processes used for the express purpose of evaluating and approving changes to another business system or process. These procedures are designed to ensure that changes are made in a safe and controlled manner and that they do not introduce new hazards or risks.

This makes the management of change procedure a workplace safety tool as much as it is one for proper organization. Without first drafting a management of change procedure, companies can run the risk of creating new problems even as they seek to resolve existing ones.

What Does a Management of Change Procedure Look Like?

A typical management of change procedure includes the following elements in most cases:

1. Identification of the change: The first step in the management of change procedure process is to identify the change that is being proposed. This could be a change to a process, a procedure, a piece of equipment, or anything else that could impact the safety or effectiveness of the system.
2. Assessment of the change: Once the change has been identified, it must be assessed to determine the potential impact of the change. This assessment should consider factors that include the nature of the change, the potential impact the change will have on the system, any associated potential risks, and how effective the existing controls will be when the change is applied.
3. Approval of the change: Once the change has been assessed, it must be approved by a staff member that is qualified to make approval decisions. Any approval process should ensure that the change is safe and that it does not introduce new hazards or risks.
4. Implementation of the change: Once the change has been deemed safe and therefore approved, it must be implemented in accordance with the management of the change procedure. This includes communicating the change to all affected staff members, providing training on the change to necessary personnel, and monitoring the change to ensure that it is effective.

The Last Word on Management of Change Procedures

Management of change procedures are an important part of any safety management system. They help to ensure that changes are made in a safe and controlled manner, and that they do not introduce new hazards or risks. If your company is considering revising or adapting any procedures or processes related to their business practices, be sure to formulate a management of change procedure first.