what is difference between change type and chage model in service now?

ayushup · 3 weeks ago

what is difference between change type and chage model in service now? Explain

DiveshTyagi · 3 weeks ago

Change Type defines the category and risk level of a change, such as Standard, Normal, or Emergency. It controls high-level behavior like approvals and governance.

Change Model is a reusable template that standardizes how a change is executed, including predefined tasks, approvals, timelines, and conditions.

View solution in original post

DiveshTyagi · 3 weeks ago

hi @ayushup ,

This is a very valid question and one that comes up frequently during workshops and real implementations.

Change Type

As per ITIL, Change Type defines the nature and urgency of a change.
It controls the overall lifecycle and state flow of the change.

Normal – follows the complete lifecycle (Assess → Authorize → Implement → Review)
Emergency – fast-tracked to handle urgent issues
Standard – pre-approved, low-risk, repeatable changes

In short, Change Type answers “how urgent or risky is this change?”

Change Model

Change Model was introduced by ServiceNow to support a fit-for-purpose and fit-for-use approach.

Earlier, all changes of a given type followed the same approvals and process, regardless of what was actually changing (application, network, server, etc.).

With Change Models, you get flexibility:

Different approval flows
Different tasks
Different automation
Based on CI, CI class, or business context

For example:

A Network Change can require Network + Security approvals
An Application Change may only require App Owner approval
A Server Reboot can be modeled as an Emergency
An Application Deployment can be modeled as Normal

A single Change Type can have multiple Change Models.

If my response proves useful, please indicate its helpfulness by selecting " Accept as Solution" and " Helpful." This action benefits both the community and me.

View solution in original post

yashkamde · 3 weeks ago

Hello @ayushup ,
In ServiceNow, Change Type (Standard, Normal, Emergency) defines the basic risk/approval level (ITIL-based),
while a Change Model is a more advanced, customizable framework that dictates the specific workflow, states, and activities for different kinds of changes (like 'Application Change' or 'Infrastructure Change'), often using Flow Designer for automation, making models drive the process more than the type once they are implemented. Essentially, Types are broad categories, whereas Models are detailed blueprints for how those changes are managed in practice.

Change Type tells ServiceNow:
-> What category the change belongs to
Change Model tells ServiceNow:
-> What exact workflow the change should follow

In Short:
> Change Type is "WHY and HOW URGENT"
> Change Model is "WHAT STEPS TO EXECUTE"

I had tried to give a short explanation as far I know, If you find this helful mark this helpful and accept as solution...

adityahubli · 3 weeks ago

Hello @ayushup ,

Change Type: Defines the specific category of a change as per the ITIL framework, such as Standard, Normal, or Emergency.

Change Model: Defines how the change implementation process should be carried out, including predefined steps, tasks, approvals, and timelines.

Change Type says what kind of change it is, while Change Model says how the change should be implemented.

If this helps you then mark it as helpful and accept as solution.

Regards,

Aditya,

Technical consultant

DiveshTyagi · 3 weeks ago

Hi @ayushup

Change Type defines the category and risk level of a change, such as Standard, Normal, or Emergency. It controls high-level behavior like approvals and governance.

Change Model is a reusable template that standardizes how a change is executed, including predefined tasks, approvals, timelines, and conditions.

Aditya40 · 3 weeks ago

Hi @ayushup

Change Type decides what kind of change it is – standard, normal, or emergency – which defines the risk and approval process.
Change Model decides how the change will flow, including approvals, tasks, and notifications.
For example, a Normal Change type could use the ITIL Standard Model workflow, which includes CAB approval, implementation tasks, and testing before closure.