ITIL (information, technology, infrastructure, library) Change Management is a method and approach within the ITIL framework and it allows you to manage and control changes to the IT infrastructure and system. The objective of ITIL Change Management is to decrease the effect of changes on the performance of IT services to ensure the proper planning, testing, and implementation of changes. Today, we’ll discuss the types of ITIL Change Management; advantages and disadvantages, benefits and challenges.
The ITIL Change Management process comprises the following steps;
- Recognizing the need for change
- Analyzing the risks attached to the change project
- Developing a plan for the change project
- Testing the changes
- Executing the change plan
- Evaluating the success of the change project
- Making necessary adjustments to make improvement
Types of ITIL Change Management
Let’s discuss the main types of ITIL Change Management; they’re as follows;
Standard Change
Well-understood pre-approved changes have a lower risk of failure and they comprise small changes that are inexpensive. They’re convenient to install and you could manage them efficiently and smoothly. However, the IT changes are highly reliant on the company’s processes like software upgrades, system changes, and patching. You could authorize and execute the changes quickly and efficiently without requiring any approval.
Normal Change
The normal changes don’t fall under the category of standard changes and they have a lower level of risk. Some of the main examples of normal changes are launching new hardware, software, or a new user. However, it requires proper authorization and approval before the execution of changes. It requires a detailed change request from the change advisory board (CAB) to execute the type of changes.
Emergency Change
It is a type of change that requires urgent and immediate implementation to resolve the urgent problem. Some of the main examples are applying the critical security patch and restoring services after system failure. However, they require authorization and approval, but the process is quick and speedy and it takes limited time to execute the changes. You could process the change request after executing the changes.
Major Change
It is a type of change that has a great impact on IT users, services, and infrastructure and it poses a great risk. Some of the main examples of major changes are major software upgrades or launching a new system. However, such types of changes require proper authorization, approval, and detailed analysis before implementing the changes.
Minor Change
It is a type of change that has a small impact on the IT infrastructure, users, and services and it poses a lower level of risks. Some of the main examples of minor changes are adding new users, new devices, or updating the system configuration. However, such types of changes require approval and authorization before implementing it.
Urgent Change
It is a type of change relevant to emergency change, but it is not for resolving the incident. It requires you to meet and comply with the legal requirements and support the business-critical projects. However, an example of urgent changes in the ITIL Change Management is applying the critical security patch to the production server to manage the system vulnerability.
Project Change
It is a type of change that is part of a big project and you should manage its specific type. It comprises multiple stakeholders and teams and they have a higher level of complications. However, such changes require proper authorization, approval, and analysis before implementing them. For instance, its example is executing the new CRM (customer relationship management) software in the company to manage the customer database.
Risk-based Change
It is a type of change that carries high risk and it requires proper classification, analysis, and approval based on a higher level of risk. The main example of risk-based change is implementing a new software application in the bank.
Advantages of ITIL Change Management
Some of the main advantages and benefits of ITIL Change Management; they’re as follows;
Better Service Availability
The ITIL Change Management allows you to decrease the impact of changes on the performance of IT services. It helps you to make sure that its services are always available to the customers and the users. However, it plays a key role in building and maintaining business continuity and ensuring the availability of IT services to the end users.
Lower Risks
The ITIL Change Management allows you to recognize and analyze the risk attached to the change project; it develops a plan to reduce the risk. It allows you to reduce the chances and possibility of any unexpected errors that would have a negative impact on the IT users, infrastructure, and the system.
High Efficiency
The ITIL Change Management allows you to efficiently execute the changes. It assists businesses and companies to decrease the time for implementing the changes and it requires limited resources to implement them. For instance, it helps companies to automate various steps involved in the change process like sending requests and approving them, and it saves a lot of time.
Improved Accountability
The ITIL Change Management offers a clear method of implementing and tracking the changes. It helps you to test, track, plan, and execute the changes. However, it allows you to recognize the accountability of changes, and recognize and correct any issue before it comes to the surface.
- Makes sure that the change processes are on the path of Continuous Improvement
- Helps you to comply with the industry standards and regulations
- Offers you a clear structure for Communication and Collaboration among various teams and stakeholders
Disadvantages of ITIL Change Management
Some of the main disadvantages and challenges of ITIL Change Management; they’re as follows;
- Employees and people would Resist the changes due to limited comprehension of the change project
- Companies don’t have a lot of time and Resources
- Requires a detailed comprehension of IT infrastructure, users, and services, and they have low transparency of data
- Complicated Processes make it difficult for employees to comprehend various steps
- Difficult to Prioritize Changes and decide what type of change to implement first
- Difficult to Test Changes before their execution
Conclusion: ITIL Change Management Types | Types of ITIL Change Management
After an in-depth study of the types of ITIL Change Management; we have realized that ITIL Change Management offers a systematic approach. If you are learning about ITIL Change Management types; then you should keep in mind the abovementioned types, benefits, and challenges.
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