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OpenClaw recipe

Architecture Scope Change Request Manager

aka “Scope Creep Guardrails

Change control without the awkward conversation

Converts "quick changes" into structured change requests with phase identification, impact scanning, a revision counter, and a client-ready memo showing time, fee, and schedule impact. Keeps the paper trail clean so you can protect your margins without policing every email.

CommunityWork15 min setup
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INGREDIENTS

✉️Email💬Slack📄Google Docs📅Calendar

PROMPT

Create a skill called "Scope Creep Guardrails" for an architecture practice. When I flag a change request or forward a client email with change language, you should: 1. Create a Change Request record (CR-###) with date, requester, phase, and a short description 2. Ask me 2–4 clarifying questions to pin down the exact scope of the change 3. Run an impact checklist: which drawings are affected, model changes needed, consultant coordination required, permit implications, schedule shift, and CA impacts 4. Draft a one-page Impact Memo for the client showing time + fee + schedule delta, with an approval signature block 5. If approved, update the decision register and list consultant notifications needed My revision limits are: SD = 2, DD = 2, CD = 1. Budget change threshold is 10%. Use a concise, professional tone for client memos.

How It Works

Every architect knows the pattern: a client says "just a small tweak" and

three weeks later you've redesigned the kitchen for free. This recipe catches

change language in emails, tracks revision counts against your contract limits,

and generates a professional impact memo before the work starts — so the

conversation stays about scope, not about feelings.

What You Get

  • Change request register: each change gets a CR number, date, requester, and phase tag
  • Clarifying questions: 2–4 targeted questions to lock the change definition before any work begins
  • Impact checklist: automatic scan across drawings, model, consultants, permit status, schedule, and CA implications
  • One-page impact memo: client-ready document showing time + fee + schedule delta with approval signature block
  • Decision register update: approved changes logged with consultant notifications triggered automatically

Setup Steps

  1. Set your revision limits per phase (e.g., SD: 2, DD: 2, CD: 1)
  2. Define your budget change threshold (e.g., 10% cost or area change triggers a CR)
  3. Choose your memo style (concise-professional works for most practices)
  4. Set approval mode (written confirmation required vs. verbal + follow-up)
  5. Connect to email and messaging to catch change-language triggers automatically

Tips

  • The biggest value is the impact memo — clients rarely push back when they see the numbers in writing
  • Flag common trigger phrases ("just adjust", "small tweak", "last minute", "while you're at it") for automatic detection
  • Keep the tone neutral and factual; the memo does the boundary-setting so you don't have to
  • Review the revision counter at each phase transition to catch accumulated creep
Tags:#architecture#scope#change-management#contracts#client-management#profitability