From the Advancement News:
Eagle Scout Service Project Workbooks: What Is Required?
The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (No. 512-927) is a tool for Scouts to use when planning, developing, and leading their service project. When used as intended, the work-book very nearly assures Scouts a successful and fulfilling experience while carrying out their service project. However, sometimes leaders misinterpret the purpose of the workbook and focus un-duly on the book itself, rather than on the actual service project it documents.
Clearly stated, the workbook is not a requirement, but the service project is. Although requirement #5 says that the Scout must use the workbook, it is purposely ambiguous regarding how it is to be used. Guide to Advancement topic 9.0.2.8 and the instructions in the workbook explain that Scout only need to use those parts that are necessary to help them have a successful project experience. It is not required that every part or every page be fully completed.
The intent of Eagle Scout requirement #5 is to provide a service to a beneficiary and by doing so continuing to help a Scout build character, citizenship, leadership, and fitness as they become adults. The workbook simply facilitates those efforts. Consequently, leaders must be careful not to allow their focus to be on the quality of the workbook itself rather than the service project. In the end it is the project that the beneficiary, the community, and the board of review will take note of, not the workbook.
Incidentally, from time to time, minor changes are made to the workbook and a revised edition will be published on the Advancement Resources web page. Just as we don’t require all parts of the workbook to be completed, we do not require a Scout who has already started using an earlier version of the workbook to convert all previously documented work to the revised edition. Most changes that occur are minor in nature, so requiring a Scout to start over in a new workbook would be a poor use of time and create undue hardship for the Scout.
For example, the revised workbook which was published in January 2019 was made gender neutral, re-moved references to the previously required Tour and Activity Plan, and added dates to the cover page of each section. These were all minor changes, none of which impacted project development, execution, or reporting.
To ensure that this national policy is well understood a note has been added on the Advancement Resources web page that states: “Scouts who have already downloaded the previous October 2015 workbook may continue to use it.” Naturally, Scouts who have not yet started on their project will need to use the January 2019 edition of the workbook.