When looking for an easy method to audit Index changes, one of the first technologies to try really should be Extended Events (xevents).
Easy Audit Index Changes
Audit Index Changes
This article shows a method to audit for index changes. The weak link in a solution such as this really boils down to the requirement that the solution needs to be in place before the index change occurs.
Find Index Create Date
This article shows a quick script to help determine indexes that were created recently. This script will help you out of rough spot and help reduce the chance of rework.
Ad Hoc Queries Disabled
This article takes a look at an error that may occur depending on your use of linked servers and the use of openrowset.
Configuration Manager is Corrupt
So you come along one day to validate some service configurations for the SQL Server services and instead of the SQL Server Configuration Manager opening as expected, you are greeted with the following error message.
Cannot connect to WMI provider. You do not have permission or the server is unreachable.