Editing Change control (section)

{{Short description|Process ensuring that changes to a product or system are controlled}}
{{Distinguish|version control}}
Within [[quality management system]]s (QMS) and [[information technology]] (IT) systems, '''change control''' is a process—either formal or informal<ref name="HallManaging07">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-40jULoIh0MC&pg=PA318 |title=Managing the Software Enterprise: Software Engineering and Information Systems in Context |author1=Hall, P.A.V. |author2=Ramil, J.C.F.  |publisher=Cengage Learning |pages=318–325 |year=2007 |isbn=9781844803545 |access-date=20 May 2018}}</ref>—used to ensure that changes to a product or system are introduced in a controlled and coordinated manner. It reduces the possibility that unnecessary changes will be introduced to a system without forethought, introducing faults into the system or undoing changes made by other users of software. The goals of a change control procedure usually include minimal disruption to services, reduction in back-out activities, and cost-effective utilization of resources involved in implementing change. According to the [[Project Management Institute|<u>Project Management Institute</u>]], change control is a "process whereby modifications to documents, deliverables, or baselines associated with the project are identified, documented, approved, or rejected."{{sfn|Project Management Institute|2021|loc=Glossary §3 Definitions}}

Change control is used in various industries, including in IT,<ref name="Matteson10Essen17">{{cite web |url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-essential-elements-of-change-control-management/ |title=10 essential elements of change control management |author=Matteson, S. |work=TechRepublic |publisher=CBS Interactive, Inc |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=20 May 2018}}</ref> software development,<ref name="HallManaging07" /> the pharmaceutical industry,<ref name="TurnerPharm03">{{cite book |title=Pharmaceutical Engineering Change Control |author=Turner, S.G. |date=15 December 2003 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |pages=[https://archive.org/details/pharmaceuticalen00simo/page/200 200] |isbn=9780849320613 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/pharmaceuticalen00simo/page/200 }}</ref> the medical device industry,<ref name="TeixeiraDesign13">{{cite book |title=Design Controls for the Medical Device Industry |author=Teixeira, M.B. |publisher=CRC Press |edition=2nd |pages=205 |year=2013 |isbn=9781466503557}}</ref> and other engineering/manufacturing industries.<ref name="MonahanEngineer95">{{cite book |title=Engineering Documentation Control Practices & Procedures |author=Monahanm E. |publisher=CRC Press |pages=280 |year=1995 |isbn=9780824795740}}</ref> For the IT and software industries, change control is a major aspect of the broader discipline of change management. Typical examples from the [[computer]] and [[computer network|network]] environments are patches to software products, installation of new [[operating system]]s, upgrades to network [[routing]] tables, or changes to the [[electric power|electrical power]] systems supporting such [[infrastructure]].<ref name="HallManaging07" /><ref name="Matteson10Essen17" />

Certain portions of [[ITIL]] cover change control.<ref name="HerzigImplement13">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uUowBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA204 |title=Implementing Information Security in Healthcare: Building a Security Program |author1=Herzig, T.W. |author2=Walsh, T. |author3=Gallagher, L.A.  |publisher=Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society |pages=204–205 |year=2013 |isbn=9781938904356 |access-date=20 May 2018}}</ref>