---
sourceDocument: Brazil IT Service Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/it-service-management

 Release :

    - brazil

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Brazil IT Service Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itsm

bundleId :

    - itsm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Change approval policies

# Change approval policies {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Brazil  
Updated September 10, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Change approval policies use approval definitions to generate approvals according to your business requirements.

A change approval policy is a course of action that can be applied to a change request. It uses
a set of variable inputs to evaluate the decisions that are associated with it. For each
matching decision, the associated approval definition is applied.

An approval policy can contain multiple decisions, so a single policy can handle every approval required for a change type. When a decision condition matches, the related approval definition is evaluated. If one or more decisions
match, all the related approval definitions are evaluated.  
Important:  
Use only one Change Approval Policy workflow activity in a workflow.  
Use the Change Approval Policy workflow activity instead of the User and Group Approval workflow activities to manage the approvals at a particular stage of the workflow. For more information, see [Change Approval Policy workflow activity](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/O5I9p3hVtlwgDX2MMznqKw "The Change Approval Policy workflow activity controls the approval process for a change request. It creates user and group approvals according to a change approval policy record. A workflow can include multiple activities, each referencing the same or different Change Approval Policies.")  
Note:  
To use the change approval policies after you upgrade:

1. Configure the approval policies as needed.
2. Replace the User and Group Approval activities with the Change Approval Policy activity in the workflow.
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A change approval policy consists of three components:

* Policy inputs: The variable sources evaluated within the condition defined on a decision.
* Decisions: Conditions that determine whether the associated change approval definition applies.
* Approval definitions: Type of approval that can be applied.
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