**Change management** in [[IT service management]] (ITSM) is a structured process for controlling modifications to an organization's [[Information technology|IT]] infrastructure, systems, and services. Its primary goal is to minimize the risk of service disruptions while enabling beneficial changes to be implemented efficiently. Change management is a core practice defined in major ITSM frameworks, most notably [[ITIL]], where it serves as a key mechanism for maintaining service reliability and [[Information security|security]]. The practice originated alongside the formalization of IT service management in the late 1980s, when the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government's]] [[Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency]] developed the initial ITIL framework. Change management establishes standardized procedures for requesting, evaluating, authorizing, and reviewing changes, typically governed by a [[Change-advisory board|change advisory board]] (CAB) that assesses the potential impact and risk of proposed modifications. Changes are commonly categorized as standard (pre-authorized, low-risk), normal (requiring assessment and approval), or emergency (expedited to resolve critical incidents). In ITIL 4, the practice was renamed **change enablement** to emphasize its role in facilitating rather than obstructing change, reflecting a broader shift toward [[Agile software development|agile]] and [[DevOps]] principles within IT operations. Modern implementations increasingly incorporate [[Automation|automated]] approval workflows, [[Continuous integration|continuous integration and deployment]] pipelines, and risk-based assessment models to accelerate delivery while preserving governance. Change management in [[Change management (ITSM)|organizational change management]]al change management]], which addresses the human and behavioral dimensions of change in business contexts.