The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Change control CHMG

Assessing risks associated with proposed changes and ensuring changes to products, services or systems are controlled and coordinated.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • There is an updated version of this skill for SFIA 9.
  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions).
  • Readability improvements have been made to level 2.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping may be impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Change control is applied to all elements impacting live products, services or systems. This includes: applications, infrastructure, documentation, processes, configuration items and suppliers.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • managing the change request lifecycle: registering, assessing, authorising, planning and deploying
  • assessing risks and reducing risks to the availability, performance, security and compliance of the products and services impacted by the change
  • developing processes for standard, normal or emergency changes
  • developing methods and tools to automate change control processes to enable continuous integration.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Change control: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Administers, tracks, logs, reports on change requests, using appropriate tools, techniques and processes.

Provides assistance to implement standard low-risk changes, in accordance with defined change control procedures.

Change control: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Develops, documents and implements changes based on requests for change.

Applies change control processes and procedures.

Applies tools, techniques and processes to manage and report on change requests.

Change control: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Assesses, analyses, develops, documents and implements changes based on requests for change.

Ensures operational processes and procedures are in place for effective change control.

Develops, configures and maintains tools to manage and report on the lifecycle of change requests.

Identifies problems and issues and recommend corrective actions.

Change control: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Leads the assessment, analysis, development, documentation and implementation of changes.

Develops implementation plans for complex requests for change.

Reviews proposed implementations and evaluates the risks to the integrity of the product and service environment. Ensures appropriate change approval is applied to changes.

Reviews the effectiveness of change implementation. Identifies, evaluates and manages the adoption of appropriate tools, techniques and processes for change control.

Change control: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Sets the organisation's policy for the management of change in live services and test environments.

Ensures effective control and treatment of risk.

Leads the development of new and improved practices for change control.

Measures and monitors adherence to standards and ensures consistent execution of the process across the organisation.

Keywords
Small change