A sponsor approves scope but not the extra budget. What should we do?

Unfunded change approval

Clarify whether the approval is conditional and how the work will be funded or exchanged. Scope approval alone does not create capacity or authorize expenditure beyond existing limits.

What to do now

Record the approved intent
Show the funding and capacity gap
Present exchange, defer, or fund options
Obtain a complete executable decision

Recommended action flow for unfunded change approval: Record the approved intent then Show the funding and capacity gap then Present exchange, defer, or fund options then Obtain a complete executable decision. Escalate when implementation would exceed authorized spending or compromise required work.

When to escalate

Escalate when

Implementation would exceed authorized spending or compromise required work.

Who decides

The authorized change decision maker

Example

A new report is approved only after a lower-priority deliverable is removed or additional funding is authorized.

Mistake to avoid

Treating approval in principle as full execution authority.

Prevent a repeat

Compare delivered changes with authorized decisions and keep the current baseline distinguishable from earlier versions.

Suggested ApprovedFlow setup

Documents
Approvals
Tasks

Keep the change request, impact assessment and recorded decision together; update affected tasks only after the appropriate authorization. See the platform