Final answer:
Changes must typically be approved by the Change board and the Project manager before being initiated. Input from stakeholders such as clients or end users is also valuable for buy-in, but formal approval is usually from specific governing entities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals or groups that need to approve a change before it is initiated typically include the Change board and the Project manager. The Change board, also known as a change advisory board (CAB), is responsible for assessing and approving significant changes to ensure they align with the project's goals and the organization's strategic direction. The Project manager is accountable for the successful execution of the project and must ensure that any changes fit within the project's scope, budget, and timeline.
The involvement of other stakeholders such as the Client or end user may be required depending on the nature of the project and the organizational structure. The Client or end user is crucial for providing buy-in, as their feedback validates the relevance and potential impact of the change on the final deliverables. Input from stakeholders at all levels is essential, yet the formal approval typically rests with specific entities tasked with governance.
Each organization has different protocols, and depending on the size and type of organization, other roles such as the CEO or Personnel manager can be involved; however, typically their approval is not required for initiating changes unless stipulated by the organizational policies.