Assessing Change, Configuration, and Release


Change management, configuration management, and release management are seen as three different processes. However, they are actually closely intertwined, and each is an important part of ITSM. Identification is the first part of the Change, Config, and Release process and one purpose of this step is the ability to maintain a detailed record of each system’s configuration.
Assessment and approval is used to calculate an objective risk assessment considering business impact and affected services. Implementation is the ability to attach and store documentation with a change/release record. Accountability tracks the physical location of contracts and agreements, and identifies the individuals responsible for them. Finally, auditing and reporting is used to maintain an audit trail of the changes made.