ITIL 4 Foundation Practice Exam

What type of change is typically implemented without further authorization?

1. Standard change

2. High-risk change

3. Unplanned change

4. Emergency change

The correct answer is: Standard change

A standard change is defined as a pre-authorized change that is low risk, relatively common, and follows a specified procedure or process. These changes have been assessed and authorized in advance, meaning they don’t require additional approvals before implementation, allowing for more efficient operations. For instance, updating a printer's driver or configuring a new computer according to the standard procedure can be classified as standard changes. By allowing standard changes to proceed without further authorization, organizations can maintain agility in their IT service management, enabling routine adjustments that enhance overall service effectiveness without bogging down decision-making processes. In contrast, high-risk changes typically require extensive scrutiny given their potential impact on services. Unplanned changes often arise from unforeseen circumstances and may not follow a approved process, necessitating immediate and often thorough assessments before execution. Emergency changes, while requiring swift action to address urgent issues, usually still need some level of authorization, particularly to document the intervention post-implementation. Thus, standard changes represent a proactive approach to manage routine modifications efficiently.