Which party is responsible for issuing a Construction Change Directive?

The party responsible for issuing a Construction Change Directive is the Architect/Engineer. This directive is a formal document that instructs the contractor to proceed with a change in the work, even if the details of that change have not been finalized or agreed upon by all parties. The Architect/Engineer plays a key role in the administration of the contract and is typically responsible for executing changes that are necessary to maintain the project’s integrity, quality, and compliance with the design intent.

In most construction projects, this directive is issued when immediate action is required, and there is insufficient time to agree on a formal change order. This ensures that the project can continue moving forward while financial and time implications of the change are still being discussed and finalized.

The Owner generally provides the funding and overall project direction but does not directly issue change directives. Similarly, while the Contractor may suggest changes, they do not have the authority to independently initiate a directive; that responsibility is reserved for the design professional, who understands the implications of changes in design and can ensure that the project adheres to the contractual obligations and design standards. Thus, the role of the Architect/Engineer is central to issuing these directives effectively in the construction process.