Log
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?
- Risk register
- Change request form
- WBS dictionary
- 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.
