Thank you for the welcome! I actually have been here a long time - went through the loss of Elsmar a bit back in time. I was then called Audit Coordinator. Lost my handle when Elsmar came back and got a new job as well.
Depending on where one works (I'm finding out) it is sometimes called ECO, Engineering Change Order, ECC - Engineering Change Control, CO - Change Order and such. In this case we are using the CO.
Quote from above:
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This can be a complex data base that allows circulation, records signatures, etc...or....as
@Thee Bouyyy stated, just a centralized Excel document, or , depending on the size of your organization, it may be as simple as a "revision record" section at the back of each document identifying the rev, approval, description of change, et.c....
There are even options for revision tracking. For example, it is common for organizations to give an original document no revision, and then each subsequent revision an -A; -B, etc...
Or, from my experience, I prefer a change point control tracking/serial number . For example, each change point request is assigned a unique sequential number (e.g. CP-0001; CP-0002; etc..etc....) This way there can be a record maintained per that number even if the change request is rejected. The history, description, approvals can then be kept centrally and the only information that needs applied to the "document" is the relevant change point tracking number (e.g. CP-0002, etc...). Since this number is unique it can also be referenced in regard to action/change taken on corrective actions, as results of audits, etc...
Remember, change control is often more complex than organizations give credit. Consider the following...
My counsel:
Map out (process flow) the entire change point control system, including all potential inputs...
a) If
customer requests change. Does finance/sales need involved?? Does engineering need to approve?
b) If
supplier requests change, does customer need notified? Does finance/sales need involved? Is a drawing impacted?
c) If
someone internal to the organization requests a change. Does it impact a supplier? Does customer need notified? Is a drawing impacted?
Food for thought.
Hope this helps.
Be well.