Scope Change Log — Notion or Excel, fee impact lite
By Nydaymuse · Updated
What belongs in a scope change log?
Three linked lists: signed baselines, every extra ask (fee/hours impact), and approvals (yes / no / absorb). Log the ask before you draw.
Scope creep is free work wearing a friendly face. Freelancers need a lite log — not Bound, and not a full legal change-order desk every time.
Cleat is Nydaymuse’s $12 dual-format scope change log: Baselines, Change_Items, and Approvals as Notion CSVs and as an Excel / Sheets workbook (README, Dashboard, Baselines, Change_Log, Approvals, Impact). Pick one.
Why extras need a same-day log
Use Cleat to record extra requests alongside the baseline, approval decision, and fee or hours impact. Choose the Notion CSV imports or the workbook for this baseline → change → approval → impact workflow.
Cleat complements free Drift and paid Change. Pair it with Scope for SOW fill-in, Lane for pipeline, and Margin when extras should show in profit.
Statuses that keep money honest
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Logged | Ask captured; not priced yet |
| Quoted | Fee/hours sent to client |
| Pending | Waiting on approval |
| Approved | Billable — link an approval row |
| Absorbed | Free once — watch the pattern |
| Declined | No — keep the baseline intact |
If Absorbed hours keep rising, raise a cap or switch to the formal Change desk for a signed PDF.
Fee + hours impact
- Log every new ask the same day.
- Price fee_impact_usd and hours_impact before drawing.
- Catch Approvals Pending on Friday review.
- Roll Impact by status so pending $ is visible.
- Never silently expand the baseline.
Cleat — dual Notion + Excel pack ($12)
One zip. Notion CSVs + import README, or open Cleat-Scope-Change-Log.xlsx (Dashboard, Baselines, Change_Log, Approvals, Impact). SAMPLE data included. Buy once. No support. Not Bound.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Notion and Excel at the same time?
No. Pick one home base. Cleat includes both formats so you can choose.
Is Cleat a live Notion duplicate link?
No. You import CSVs (or rebuild from the outline).
How is Cleat different from Drift or Change?
Drift is the free creep desk. Change is the formal change-order + PDF. Cleat is the dual-format lite log with baselines + approvals + fee impact for ongoing projects.