| Change management programs allow companies to | | | | an automatic server update may potentially disable the |
| evaluate and limit the use of updates and changes | | | | email program, leaving workers unable to communicate |
| encountered with software, operating systems or | | | | with each other or company clients until the problem is |
| application platforms on company computer and | | | | fixed. Change management will prevent the update |
| networking systems. Changes must be approved | | | | from occurring until the RFC form has been approved. |
| in-house before they can be implemented. Determining | | | | If rejected, the change will not be implemented. |
| whether a change can be made or not before it is | | | | Considerations |
| automatically implemented prevents adjustments and | | | | With some management programs, companies have |
| upgrades from disabling other computer capabilities or | | | | the choice to make RFCs through a workflow |
| components. Using a management program to handle | | | | process where different people have input, or it can be |
| an automated a request for change (RFC) prevents | | | | considered at a meeting through a review board. |
| the IT department or management team from having | | | | Depending on the company's infrastructure and size, |
| to handle the issues on a person-by-person or | | | | the approval process may be a minor or major step. |
| case-by-case basis. This mainstreams the process, | | | | Once the potential impact has been studied and |
| making the it more efficient. | | | | reviewed, a decision is made. The change is either |
| For example, change management software will | | | | approved or rejected after it has been circulated as |
| trigger an alert before automatically upgrading a media | | | | needed. |
| player used on an employee's computer. The upgrade | | | | Results |
| could cause a number of issues, including memory or | | | | In the event the RFC is approved and takes place, |
| firewall problems, configuration conflicts or work ethic | | | | post-implementation reviews can be done and |
| policy violations. | | | | circulated to necessary personnel so that any effects |
| Tracking | | | | from the changes are tracked and recorded. If |
| When this type of management program, a tracking | | | | unforeseen problems were encountered, they will be |
| system can be set up by the business so a | | | | noted here. The conflict can be used as a learning tool |
| designated person or group will be alerted about | | | | to prevent future similar issues. |
| potential changes before anything happens. Forms can | | | | Reports and charts can be created with some of |
| be created and customized from templates to include | | | | these types of programs, allowing post-change |
| any information management deems necessary to | | | | assessments and evaluations. This material will be |
| consider the RFC. RFCs may be classified into | | | | available for future reference with other server |
| categories for what will be different and what will be | | | | updates and application changes. |
| affected in the event of implementation. For example, | | | | |