This week, we explored the concept of project change control, and how to respond when project plans need to change based on circumstances that may or may not be in the control of the project manager. Thinking back to the concepts you learned, evaluate the following scenario and share strategies in response to the prompts.

As a project manager working on a large-scale project for 18-months, the customer has been easy to work with so far, and the two of you have a solid working relationship. However, early one morning you receive a call from the customer that the project completion deadline (which is 2-months away) needs to be moved up by 1-month. The customer explains that the schedule change is due to a competitor's industry release of a similar product.

The customer explains the urgency and describes how much business can be lost if the deadline is not moved up. In your mind, you are thinking about how many suppliers will not be able to meet this demand, as well as, it being summer and there are several key team members that are getting ready to go out on vacation. You and the customer end the conversation with you promising to get back to the customer with a response as soon as possible.

Reflect on your readings for this week and answer the following prompts:

• Evaluate the scenario and explain what the next steps should be.
• Detail the communication that needs to happen.
• Provide at least one recommendation of a solution to this issue.