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A change request is an important document which is part of the change management process, as it states the data and reasons for the change in an application or system. A change request is a declarative document, meaning it has clear and concise information of what needs to be achieved and how the changes are to be implemented, as well as other related information.
Change management creates a set of standards and rules that need to be followed in the change request document. For every major change with respect to the scope of the project, the change request must be completed. Sometimes, certain change management allows minor changes to be carried out without the requirement of the change request document. In most organizations, a change request document mostly follows a standard template created by the change management. This ensures a streamlined and standard process for the change request document with respect to the information to be filled out. Change requests at minimum need to be approved by the concerned change control board/project supervisor or any designated person/committee in charge of the change request approval.
Change requests can be initiated internally, for example in the case of software or hardware upgrades. However, change requests are mostly initiated by users, in cases such as identification of defects or bugs during problem management, events or patches from the development of other applications or systems, modifications in any standards or applications and from needs of the senior management.
Once the change request is created, necessary steps need to be undertaken as per the process defined in the change control to ensure the request is completed and satisfied according to the requirements and the change initiators. All the information related to the change request must be documented clearly and concisely.