HKSM

A document used while carrying out a process or activity to capture and label specific items that arise. It is typically named with a qualifier, such as an issue log, change log, or assumption log, to indicate its purpose.

Key Points

• Used during execution to record items that need tracking, visibility, and action.
• Common variants include issue log, change log, assumption log, decision log, and defect log.
• Often contains fields like ID, date, description, owner, status, priority, due date, and resolution.
• Maintained continuously and referenced in status reporting, control processes, and audits.

Example

While deploying a new finance system, the project manager maintains an issue log to track problems such as "invoice import fails for vendor X," assigns an owner, sets a due date, updates status at each stand-up, and records the final resolution.

PMP Example Question

During execution, a stakeholder reports a problem that has already occurred and must be tracked until it is resolved. What should the project manager update first?

1. Risk register
2. Change request form
3. WBS dictionary
4. Issue log

Correct Answer: D — issue log (a type of project log)

Explanation: An issue log records and tracks problems that have occurred. A risk register is for uncertain future events, a change request form proposes changes, and the WBS dictionary defines scope details.