Configure schedules for Simplified Change Management

Create and manage blackout and maintenance schedules for Change Management to control when changes are permitted or blocked across your organization.

Before you begin

Role required: sn_itsm_chg_admin.change_schedules_config

About this task

Use the Blackout and Maintenance windows to schedule a change. Blackout schedules block changes during critical periods such as financial year-end or major platform releases. Maintenance windows designate periods when changes are actively expected, such as recurring patching cycles. Both schedule types serve as the authoritative source for downstream enforcement logic including conflict detection and approval routing.

Procedure

1. From the header of your ServiceNow instance, navigate to All > Admin Home.
2. From the Manage your products section, select View product overview for IT Service Management.
3. On the Product Hub page for IT Service Management, from the Configure your product section, select Configure.
4. On the Configuration Console, from the left navigation panel, select ITSM fulfiller experience > Change Management > Change schedules.

   The Schedules list displays the pre-configured schedules, organized under the Blackouts and Maintenance tabs.

5. To create a new schedule, select Add New.
   Note:

   To edit an existing schedule, select it from the Schedules list and make the necessary updates.
6. In the Name your schedule section, enter a descriptive name in the Schedule name field.

   For example, you can include the type, scope, or timeframe, like APAC Holiday Blackout or Monthly Patching Window US East. The name appears in the change calendar, conflict notifications, and audit reports.

7. In the What type of schedule are you creating? section, select a schedule type.

   Option	Description
   Blackout schedule	Changes are blocked during this time.
   Maintenance window	Changes are allowed only during this time.

8. In the Which items does this schedule apply to? section, select a source to define the scope of the schedule.

   Option	Description
   All CIs	The schedule applies to all configuration items in the database across the organization.
   CI class	The schedule applies to a specific class of configuration items, such as all Windows servers.
   Change request	The schedule applies based on change request attributes such as assignment group, change model, or change type.

9. In the When does this schedule run? section, configure the schedule timing.
   1. Enter the Start date/time and End date/time, or select All day to apply the schedule for the full calendar day.
   2. In the Select the correct timezone for your schedule field, select the applicable timezone.
   3. Under Schedule repeat, select a recurrence pattern.

      Pattern	Behavior
      One time	The schedule runs once between the specified dates.
      Weekly	The schedule repeats every week.
      Monthly	The schedule repeats every month.
      Yearly	The schedule repeats every year.
      Specific	Define a custom recurrence rule.

   4. Enter the interval in the Repeat every field.

      Runs once from 12:00:00 to 12:00:00 (US/Pacific) starting 10 May 2026 and ending 13 May 2026.

10. Select Save.
11. When you have finished configuring, select Mark as configured to save your settings and mark this step as complete.

    To revert changes made in the current session before saving, select Undo.

    As an alternative to the form-based wizard, you can also complete this configuration through the Configure with Now Assist conversational flow, accessible from the banner at the top of the page.

Result

The new schedule is created and appears in the Schedules list under the Blackouts or Maintenance tab, depending on the type you selected. The schedule is active immediately and is used by Change Management for conflict detection and change enforcement.

Related tasks

• Create blackout and maintenance schedules in Change Management