By Mitch Rice
Is your team rushing through change without fully understanding its impact? An ITIL Course can be your first step toward mastering change control in a structured way. Still, many organisations struggle with the real-world application of ITIL Change Management. From skipping assessments to neglecting communication, these small missteps can turn into major disruptions. Knowing what to avoid can save time, money, and reputation if you plan to implement or improve your process.
Let’s uncover the top mistakes and how you can prevent them before they happen.
Table of Contents
- Lack of Clear Change Categorisation
- Ignoring Risk Assessment
- Skipping the Change Advisory Board
- Poor Communication Across Teams
- Rushing Emergency Changes Without Review
- No Post Implementation Review
- Failing to Train Team on the Process
- Conclusion
1.Lack of Clear Change Categorisation
One of the most common mistakes in ITIL or Information Technology Infrastructure Library change management is not correctly classifying changes. While treating every change the same way may seem simpler, doing so causes uncertainty, loss of time, and even danger. Changes might be classified as routine, emergency, or ordinary. Each requires a different amount of preparation and review.
If you don’t properly classify changes, you may scrutinise small adjustments needlessly or implement significant modifications without conducting adequate checks. Teams may better manage priorities, distribute resources, and obtain consent by categorisation before taking action.
2.Ignoring Risk Assessment
Every change has some risk, regardless of how minor. Ignoring a thorough risk assessment is like walking down a busy street without a blindfold. You leave it up to chance, but you might get across safely. The goal of risk assessment is not to make things too complicated. It’s important to know what might go wrong, how likely it is, and how bad the consequences would be.
Consider technological difficulties, possible outages, and the impact on users to make better decisions. Another important function of this phase in ITIL change management is to give the Change Advisory Board the information they need to confidently approve or reject a request.
3.Skipping the Change Advisory Board
There is more to the Change Advisory Board, or CAB, than meets the eye. It serves as the foundation for regulated change. To assess suggested changes from all sides, this committee brings together individuals from various departments inside the company. The decision-making process is weakened when the CAB is ignored or given insufficient authority.
Although some teams do this to save time, it frequently results in decisions that are not balanced, problems with execution, or even a complete failure of the change. The CAB or Change Advisory Board adds value by providing a range of viewpoints, challenging presumptions, and ensuring that the change aligns with corporate objectives.
4.Poor Communication Across Teams
Even if a change is well-thought-out, it will still be problematic if no one is aware. One of the main causes of change failure is a communication breakdown. Suppose individuals are unaware of what is happening, when, or why, there will be resistance and misunderstanding of effective communication, leading to missed deadlines, dependencies, and redundant work.
An effective communication plan should identify key stakeholders, clarify messaging, outline timetables, and provide feedback routes. In ITIL change management, communication is an ongoing process rather than a one-time event.
5.Rushing Emergency Changes Without Review
Emergencies necessitate prompt action, but this does not imply ignoring all protocols. Urgent adjustments are allowed under ITIL, but teams are also expected to record them and analyse what transpired. Skipping this step is risky. It hinders the team’s learning ability and increases the likelihood that the same problem will recur.
Do a brief but sincere review after an emergency. What caused the emergency? Was it preventable? What did and did not work? This tiny time commitment can have a huge impact on averting future catastrophes.
6.No Post Implementation Review
A change is not necessarily successful just because it is finished. It is impossible to determine whether the change achieved its intended results without a post-implementation review. A PIR or Post Implementation Review should be utilised to determine whether the objectives were achieved, whether any negative consequences occurred, and what lessons may be learnt moving ahead. This evaluation is frequently skipped by teams, particularly if the change appears to have gone smoothly.
However, evaluating both achievements and setbacks enhances your change management procedure as a whole. It encourages ongoing development and increases confidence in the framework.
7.Failing to Train Team on the Process
They are worthless if people cannot employ the best equipment and methods. It is a serious mistake to assume that employees understand change management without receiving training. It results in uneven implementation, sluggish approvals, and needless escalations.
Training shouldn’t be done only once. It should be a regular strategy to onboard new employees and update existing expertise. Registering for an ITIL course can help your team become more comfortable using the framework and gain confidence.
Conclusion
Implementing change the right way is not just about following steps. It’s about avoiding the small mistakes that can create big problems. From planning and risk to communication and reviews, each detail matters in ITIL change management. Taking the time to get it right makes a lasting difference. For deeper understanding and smoother implementation, consider the practical guidance offered by The Knowledge Academy.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.