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Change log

Keep a record of changes made to a product, project, or system

About the change log template

Accountability. Transparency. Pattern recognition. There are plenty of benefits to keeping a change log that provides a chronological record of updates made to a product, project, or system. This way the team gains a shared understanding of the work's trajectory.

Use this change log template to note changes made and why. Including the rationale behind each adjustment provides context, aids decision-making, and helps prevent missteps. A standardized format fosters consistency — making the log more accessible and user-friendly.

Encourage team members to contribute to the log promptly to ensure a comprehensive record. Keep the log in a shared folder so folks can find and add to it easily.

Best practices

Track changes and foster transparency.

Clarify the purpose Define the purpose of your change log, the types of changes (e.g., enhancements, bug fixes, and updates) that you want to record, and the process for capturing them.
Use a consistent format Standardize the information you want to capture about each change — such as the date, requestor, description, reason for the change, status, and other notes.
Document on time Update your log as changes are made. Keep the information concise, but comprehensive enough for stakeholders to understand the nature and impact of the modification.
Make it accessible Share your document with the team. Collaborate asynchronously or in real time to fill in any gaps and make revisions. Use to-dos to capture and assign action items.

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