A change order records an agreed change. A construction change directive can direct work before price or time is fully agreed, when the governing contract permits it.
The distinction matters because the contractor's obligation, the required signatures, and the path to a final price depend on the signed contract. Under commonly used AIA documents, a directive keeps work moving while cost or time remains unresolved; an executed change order records the parties' agreement.
Check authority before treating an instruction as approval
A field request, email, or architect comment is not automatically the same as a contract-authorized directive. Identify who may direct changes, how notice must be delivered, and whether the contractor must proceed before price agreement.
Price and track unresolved work separately
Record the directed scope, date, labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor cost, and schedule effect. Keep agreed and disputed amounts distinct so the project record does not imply an agreement that has not occurred.
Close the loop with the contract's final instrument
When scope, cost, and time are resolved, use the document required by the contract to record the agreement. Under the referenced AIA workflow, resolved directive work is incorporated into a change order.
Decision table
Directive or agreed change?
QuestionChange directiveChange order
AgreementPrice or time may remain unresolvedScope, price, and time are agreed
Typical purposeDirect timely work under the contractRecord the parties' approved modification
Contractor responseProceed or respond as the contract requiresPerform the mutually authorized change
Cost recordTrack actual and proposed adjustmentState the agreed adjustment
CloseoutResolve and incorporate per the contractBecomes the signed modification record